In a recent crackdown aimed at protecting disabled parking spaces, Bath & North East Somerset Council officers inspected 204 Blue Badges as part of a national day of action targeting fraudulent use of disabled parking permits. The initiative was one of 77 councils’ coordinated efforts to ensure Blue Badges are used properly by those genuinely entitled to them.
Across Bath & North East Somerset, there are 196 off-street and 175 on-street disabled parking bays. Blue Badge holders benefit from all-day free parking in pay & display areas and resident permit bays, making proper use essential to support those with genuine needs.
While the vast majority of Blue Badges checked were found to be used correctly, several cases of misuse were identified, resulting in the seizure of three badges—one more than last year’s figure. Misuse examples include using a badge without the badge holder present, using badges belonging to deceased individuals, and displaying expired permits.
READ MORE: Town Centre Road in Chard Closed for Two Months for Major Gas Pipe Upgrades
READ MORE: Families Near New Pylons to Receive £2,500 Energy Bill Discounts
Councillor Joel Hirst, cabinet member for sustainable transport strategy, emphasized the importance of the campaign: “Blue Badges provide significant support to their holders by enabling easier access to destinations. Our participation in the Blue Badge Day of Action, combined with our routine enforcement checks, demonstrates our commitment to preventing misuse. It’s encouraging that nearly all badges checked were used lawfully.”
Currently, almost 10,000 people in Bath & North East Somerset hold Blue Badges. The national campaign—now in its fourth year—involves hundreds of councils inspecting thousands of permits to deter abuse. Last year alone, 10,040 badges were checked nationwide, with 182 seized.
Over the past three years, Bath & North East Somerset Council has confiscated a total of 86 Blue Badges due to misuse, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain fair access to disabled parking.