27 September 2007
Changes to the Blue Badge scheme come into force on 15 October.
The changes include:
- extending the scheme to children under two who, because of their specific medical conditions, need to travel with bulky medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. This will include children who suffer from hip dysplasia.
- Amending the design of the badge, including the addition of a hologram, to help prevent fraud and aid enforcement.
- extending the scheme to include people with severe disabilities in both arms who drive non-adapted vehicles regularly but are unable to operate parking meters, such as people with Thalidomide-related disabilities.
A review of the Blue Badge scheme is also currently being carried out with a 'comprehensive reform strategy' due to be published in April 2008 in order to make the scheme 'fairer, more consistently administered and easier to understand.'
