Blue Badge abusers busted Drivers parking illegally with Blue Badges and hogging disabled spaces they are not entitled to use have been cautioned and fined in a crackdown by the council. Words Anna Macarthur The sting took place in Wembley town centre following high levels of Blue Badge use in London Road and Ealing Road,Wembley by drivers suspected of not being entitled to park in disabled bays. Of the 18 badges seized, three are thought to be lost, stolen or counterfeit. Most were the relatives of a genuine badge holder who had borrowed the permit to make parking easier and free. But their selfish actions meant they were blocking spaces and making it difficult for legitimate disabled drivers to park.
“The badge holder must be present in the car or. If they are not in the car then you are not entitled to use the disabled badge.”
Anyone caught using a badge that did not belong to them had the permit confiscated, were issued with a parking ticket and told to attend the town hall for a formal interview under caution. Simon said: “The badge holder must be present in the car. If they are not in the car then you are not entitled to use the disabled badge. Most people are aware of the rules but continue to abuse the system.” Confiscated badges will be returned to their registered owner with a formal warning but could be taken away permanently if the abuse continues. For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/bluebadges
The Blue Badge scheme The Blue Badge scheme provides parking concessions to disabled people whose mobility is permanently and substantially impaired. The badge is solely for the use of the disabled person and allows the holder to have free parking as well as access to special parking bays. Holders do not pay the Congestion Charge.
Simon Lane, Head of Brent Council’s Audit and Investigation team, which organized the sting, said: “Intelligence showed that these roads were clogged with cars displaying disabled badges – a higher number than we would expect. “We organised the operation to crack down on misuse.” Council investigation officers – with the support of parking enforcement and Brent Police - stopped anyone using a Blue Badge to check if they were the official holder.They were able to check the photo on the badge, or details they had about the rightful holder, with the individual using it. APRIL 2011
THE BRENT MAGAZINE
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