This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New measures for disabled motorists
18/12/2002
Improvements to the provision of parking concessions for
disabled people through the Blue Badge scheme were welcomed
today by Lewis Macdonald, Deputy Minister for Enterprise,
Transport and Lifelong Learning.
The Scottish Executive's response to the Blue Badge
review follows recommendations put forward by the Disabled
Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). Following the
UK-wide review, the eligibility criteria for badges will be
reinforced by further guidance to issuing authorities.
Among a package of measures, the Scottish Executive has
also:
- accepted that children under 2 should be eligible
for a badge if their medical needs require the
transport of bulky medical equipment (e.g. oxygen
cylinders);
- agreed to look at the feasibility of a national
database of badge holders;
- accepted that temporary badges should be available
to those whose disability may last for periods below 3
years;
Some recommendations require further research and the
Scottish Executive will be taking these proposals forward,
in close collaboration with the Department for Transport,
the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Office and
disability organisations, as part of its on-going
programme.
Mr Macdonald, Deputy Transport Minister said:
"I am delighted that these measures will help to improve
the mobility and quality of life of disabled motorists.
"The Blue Badge Scheme is invaluable for disabled people
and it is vital that we make sure that those people who
need the concessions it offers most are the ones who
benefit from it. With the strengthening of the Scheme that
the Scottish Executive and Department for Transport has
announced today, disabled people will be able to use the
concessions they need whilst ensuring that only individuals
who are eligible will be able to take advantage of the
benefits the badge brings."
The Blue Badge review was originally announced in
November 1999. The Blue Badge Scheme is a wholly devolved
matter but the Department for Transport has been
co-ordinating the joint UK-wide Review on behalf of all 4
UK administrations.
The discussion paper was produced following a series of
meetings with key stakeholders, including badge holders
themselves, at local and national levels, and issued in
December 2001 for public consultation. This was not
designed to be a statement of policy but rather to
stimulate discussion of the main issues identified by those
most closely associated with the Scheme. This is available
on the Department for Transport's web site (at
www.mobility-unit.dft.gov.uk/consult/discussion/index.htm).
The Blue Badge was introduced in April 2000 following
the Government's acceptance of a recommendation from the
Council of the European Union for a standard design of
disabled persons' parking card to replace those previously
on issue in Member States. The new badge allows holders to
enjoy the concessions offered in the host country by
displaying badges issued under their own national
schemes.
The 2000 Regulations essentially only changed the design
and colour of the badge itself. Blue Badges are being
phased in over a 3-year period (completed on 31 March
2003).
DPTAC are the Department for Transport's statutory
advisers on the transport needs of disabled people. The
Scottish Executive's response to DPTAC's recommendations is
available from Richard Lyall by email:
Richard.Lyall@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 0131 244 0869.