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Original poster

Blue Badge Parking Fees

181 replies

SPAP · 31/01/2025 14:00

After overwhelming opposition, Bromley Council has decided to reverse its plans to introduce Blue Badge parking fees in its car parks. Our objections were based on the fact that it must be an unfair proposal, if able-bodied people have the choice to walk or cycle to their destination and pay nothing, while Blue Badge holders have to park (due to their disability) and under the plan, pay.

We're aware that many other councils charge and would urge other members of the public to object. It's the principle of Blue Badge holders paying more then able-bodied people, as well as the cost. We are hoping that our success can be replicated nationally and that ultimately Blue Badge holders will not have to pay anywhere in the country.

OP posts:
BrightYellowTrain · 01/02/2025 12:32

Do those who don’t think those with BB should receive free parking purely because not all disabled people get free parking think the same about other things?

For example:
Council tax - some disabled people are disregarded for council tax purposes or receive a band reduction. But not all disabled people do, so should no-one receive this?
Bus pass - some disabled people receive a bus pass that entitles them to free bus travel. But not all disabled people do, so should no-one receive this?
Car tax - some disabled people are exempt for car tax or are eligible for a reduction. But this does not apply to all disabled people, so should no-one be eligible? Similar for congestion charges and tolls.
Free TV licence - some disabled people are eligible for a 50% concession from the TV licence fee. But not all disabled people are, so should no-one receive this?

furiousnana · 01/02/2025 14:08

SPAP · 31/01/2025 14:34

So are you suggesting that you think it's fair that Blue Badge holders (amongst the most vulnerable in our society)will pay more than able-bodied people to park?

why will they pay more? they pay for what ever amount of time they park for? like everyone else?

furiousnana · 01/02/2025 14:13

SPAP · 31/01/2025 14:41

My daughter has a connective tissue disorder, autism, ADHD etc etc. and has a Blue Badge. My husband is able-bodied and could quite easily walk into our local town every day and not pay a penny. There is no way my daughter could go into town without us having to park.

Redglitter, it's as much on principle as the cost (although many Blue Badge holders do not have much money, as they are unable to work). I don't want my daughter to be penalised for her disability. We appreciate we can park near our destination, but it's not a privilege to be seriously disabled.

ah but you can't measure a persons disabilities? there are lots of people out there who don't have a blue badge and yet still can't make the walk into town.. pregnant people (see how i was woke with my term there so as not to offend). lots of elderly cannot make the walk into town, they don't automatically have a blue badge? why is your daughters disability’s worse?

is this more about money that disabilities? perhaps your local council should offer an exemption from paying for parking certificate and means test it? that way, those who simply cannot afford parking, can apply and therefore get it free, rather than a generic all blue badge holders should get free parking

furiousnana · 01/02/2025 14:26

BrightYellowTrain · 01/02/2025 12:32

Do those who don’t think those with BB should receive free parking purely because not all disabled people get free parking think the same about other things?

For example:
Council tax - some disabled people are disregarded for council tax purposes or receive a band reduction. But not all disabled people do, so should no-one receive this?
Bus pass - some disabled people receive a bus pass that entitles them to free bus travel. But not all disabled people do, so should no-one receive this?
Car tax - some disabled people are exempt for car tax or are eligible for a reduction. But this does not apply to all disabled people, so should no-one be eligible? Similar for congestion charges and tolls.
Free TV licence - some disabled people are eligible for a 50% concession from the TV licence fee. But not all disabled people are, so should no-one receive this?

ah the operative word you have used is SOME. SOME disabled people are entittled and get all of the above you have mentioned... not ALL!

Council Tax, some non disabled people don't pay council tax! (unemployed for example?).
Bus Pass - again, all elderly people get bus passes over a certain age.
Car Tax - there are plenty of cars out there that require NO car tax! and its emissions tax now, its to pay for the upkeep of the roads.

TV licence - can't argue that as i refuse to buy one anyway.

If you can afford these things, irrespective of your disability, then you should pay for them! this is whats wrong with this country nowadays, everyone wants to be given everything and pay for nothing.

BrightYellowTrain · 01/02/2025 14:39

ah the operative word you have used is SOME. SOME disabled people are entittled and get all of the above you have mentioned... not ALL!

You have completely and utterly missed my point. The whole premise of my post was that some disabled people do and some don’t.

some non disabled people

And some non-disabled people don’t pay car-parking (a bit like you not having a TV licence). What’s your point? Not sure what relevance non-disabled people have to my post since the whole point was about comparing some disabled people to other disabled people. Not anything to do with non-disabled people.

its emissions tax now

Not according to the government. It is still clearly called vehicle tax on the government’s website here.

If you can afford these things, irrespective of your disability, then you should pay for them!

For some of my examples, such as SMI disregard for council tax, this shows a lacks understanding as to why they are in place. For example, the SMI disregard has nothing to do with finances and everything to do with the original aim of council tax and the fact someone with SMI lacks understanding of local issues. Similar for some other discounts/exemptions.

LuluBlakey1 · 01/02/2025 15:26

SPAP · 01/02/2025 11:09

Ouch! So much negativity and nastiness on this site. What we achieved in Bromley was not (and I have never claimed it was) entirely down to me. It was a huge team effort, particularly by a group of disabled, Blue Badge holders, for whom it would have a major, detrimental effect.

We were supported by both a. Bromley Conservative and Labour MP - both wrote to the Council to state they opposed the policy - many Councillors from every political side, journalists and general members of the public who could all see that this policy was unfair.

Our hope and aim is to achieve this nationally and the MPs may be supportive of this. We have follow-up meetings with them.

As you will have gauged by now, I find it very difficult to understand many of the comments on here - people claiming that other people have aches and pains too, who don’t have Blue Badges and therefore Blue Badges holders should have to pay; that it’s negative to call Blue Badges holders ‘the most vulnerable in society’ etc. etc

As someone has stated, Mumsnet really doesn’t seem to be the kind of supportive site (and I don’t mean because some people don’t agree with me - it’s the tone of the replies) I thought it was and I will stop my posts.

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Other posters are not being nasty or negative- they are providing quite rational opinions which differ from yours.

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