Overview
- The council said it has received reports of Blue Badge misuse in the borough and will carry out comprehensive investigations that may lead to voluntary interviews for those suspected of wrongdoing.
- By law a Blue Badge can only be used when the badge holder is present in the vehicle, and misuse can result in fines, prosecution or the badge being revoked.
- Civil Enforcement Officers have statutory powers to inspect Blue Badges on request and refusal to allow an inspection is a criminal offence enforceable by councils.
- The council published a contact route for the public to report suspected misuse at blue.badge@nelincs.gov.uk or by phone on 01472 313131.
- More than three million people in the UK rely on Blue Badges for closer parking and other concessions such as tax or Low Emission Zone exemptions, so enforcement aims to protect access for genuinely disabled users.