Blue badge parking permits to cover 'hidden disabilities' in England

The Department for Transport  have said that blue badge parking permits are to be made available for people in England with "hidden disabilities" such as autism or mental health problems from next year.

The current rules do not explicitly exclude hidden disabilities, however councils' interpretations can vary.

Similar changes have come into effect in Scotland and Wales.
When the changes to the blue badge scheme in England are introduced, they will extend eligibility to:

• people who cannot make a journey without "a risk of serious harm to their health and safety" or that of others, such as young children with autism
• people for whom travel causes "very considerable psychological distress"
• and those with considerable difficulty walking, meaning "both the physical act and experience of walking"

Currently about 2.4 million disabled people in England have a blue badge as part of the system that was introduced in 1970 costing £10 in order to make access easier for disabled people.

It allow holders to park for free in pay-and-display spaces across the UK and for up to three hours on yellow lines.

The blue badge concessions do not apply to privately-run car parks. They also can not be used in central London, where residents need to apply for a special permit, although they do provide an exemption from the congestion charge.



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