Posted on Wednesday 9th May 2012
Important new changes to the Blue Badge (Disabled Parking) Scheme are now in place
A new-look Blue Badge is being issued free-of-charge to thousands of individual badge holders in Rhondda Cynon Taf as part of a new scheme which was introduced on April 1.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has 22,238 residents currently making use of the scheme, with Blue Badges up for renewal every three years.
All new Blue Badges issued after April 1, 2012, are now free-of-charge to users.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Group Director for Community Services and Children’s Services, Ellis Williams, said: “Disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people to live in low income households and they face extra costs related to managing their impairments which could push individuals further into poverty.
”Rhondda Cynon Taf Council fully supports this new and improved scheme, launched by the Welsh Government, having made a commitment to reduce poverty among some of our poorest people and communities.”
The new-look Blue Badge, which was issued after April 1, makes it easier to crack down on fraud. It also makes it easier for severely disabled people who rely on the Blue Badge scheme to find a parking space.
Blue Badges have been re-designed to make them harder to tamper with, copy or forge. The new badges are made of durable plastic instead of cardboard and will be more robust.
The changes improve customer service and speed up the time it takes to renew Blue Badges.
The Blue Badge (Disabled Parking) Scheme operates throughout the UK and is designed to help blind or disabled people to travel independently as either a driver or passenger to allow them to park close to where they need to go.
The Scheme was first introduced in the UK in 1970. It enables 22,238 disabled people in Rhondda Cynon Taf and 230,000 disabled people across Wales to retain their independence.
It allows people who meet the eligibility criteria to park in areas, when displaying their Blue Badge, where restrictions for other motorists may generally apply.
The Blue Badge (Disabled Parking) Scheme is issued locally by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to individuals and organisations who meet the criteria set out in legislation.
For further details on the Blue Badge (Disabled Parking) Scheme, issued by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, email the Blue Badge Team| or call them on 01443 442100