Blue badge crackdown?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/6eh9gfb

After the 'crackdown' on the number of immigrants coming into this country, the 'crackdown' on benefit cheats, the 'crackdown' on ASBOs etc etc.

Are we now really going to see a 'crackdown' on Blue Badge holders, or is this yet just another sound bite from the Government?

Yes the scheme is vastly abused, what do some suggest to make it less abused?

The story contains a number of false statements,

1/ GPs do not issue Blue Badges, they only fill in the patients disabilities on the application form, that the council sends them.

2/ The badge, is not a simple slip of paper which is easy to photocopy, it is laminated.

3/ The badge has always included a photo of the holder, who doesn't necessary have to own a car or indeed even know how to drive, but they do need to take it with them when someone is taking them in their car.

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

/// But I think the chances of the Tories interfering with the way private enterprises like supermarkets deal with their customers are pretty remote ///

Why spoil a perfectly good argument, so as to get your own particular political agenda across?

But wasn't New Labour in office for 13 years, they could have easily implemented it, knowing how caring they are to the minorities.

You started it.

[jake-the-peg]

Many of the supermarkets have wheelchairs AOG.

My father now has a badge which we use when he wants to go shopping. He walks to precariously you really don't wan't to be crossing parking lots with him.

He often uses a frame with wheels to get about the shop - not something you can use easilly about the parking lot.

Why do they get free parking? - Generally I guess because they don't really have a choice about whether to use a car or not

[anotheoldgit]

Wow, the imperfections in this report, imagine if it had been a Daily Mail report?????

[jake-the-peg]

It's not a political agenda here - just an observation about core values

Interfering with private enterprises is not something that the Tory party normally likes to do.

They are usually very vociferous about it - normally with words like "red tape"

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

Yes but I wasn't referring to all badge holders at the supermarket.

Not sure I agree with the car park free parking though.

There are plenty of choices, ie Bus, Door to Door Community transport, Park and Ride, Shop-mobility Schemes.

[furrypusscat]

I had occasion to ask why a pregnant lady was parked in a supermarket disabled space without a blue badge. Her reply was I'm pregnant. How long has pregnancy been a disability!!!!

[starone]

I am a blue badge holder. I rely on other people to take me out so I am very grateful to have it. It enables us to park near the shops where I walk around by holding on to the shopping trolley. I am only able to do one shop at a time, not walk right through the complex. I am not particularly interested in free parking, because it is free in supermarkets anyway so it doesn't affect me. Our local Somerfields (now the Co-op) has a man who checks if you have a blue badge if you are parked in the disability bays. I am not always in the same car - the neighbours are very good to me and believe in the concept of looking after the old, so I do not think a "one car" policy would be feasible. Doc, I am not exactly bouncing with health - I only wish I was.

[anotheoldgit]

furrypusscat

I can beat that, I once challenged a group of young men for parking in a Disable bay.

The driver put up his finger, to indicate that was missing some.

Or at least I think that was what he meant.

[anneasquith]

star, you have great friends..............how many people have parked in a disabled space , when not entitled to ?

[McMouse]

My elderly MIL has a blue badge and is incapable of walking anywhere. We take her out in the car and only use the blue badge to obtain legal free parking. Thereafter we push her round the shops in a chair. We are not disabled so it really doesn't matter where we park.