Blue badge/free parking

[Crazycarb]

Yesterday, whilst at my local supermarket, I walked past the blue badge parking bay, which was full of very expensive SUV's/MPV's. Way beyond my purchasing power.
This sort of got me thinking, that because you are disabled, doesn't necc mean that you're skint, and therefore Councils could rake in a lot of extra money by making blue badge holders pay. Yes give them designated park areas, I get that, but make them pay for them like everybody else. Low income families have to pay, so why not the owners of this shiny new hardwear (some bigger than an HGV tractor unit) being driven by blue badge holders?
This isn't an outright attack on blue badge holders, but more a comparison as to what is fair and what isn't.
I wonder how much revenue could be raked in, by taking this concession away?

 

[television]

I still have a blue badge, cannot use it as much, but pay for parking I am going for a stiff drink

 

[BEJ]

I think I'll join you Malcolm.

 

[JBell]

There was a guy who lived near me who had an Escort Cosworth, he now has a brand new Range Rover

 

[C350Carl]

The reason they get a blue badge is because they are disabled (yes i know some flaunt the system but that's a different debate). Why does that mean they should pay to park?

The idea is they can legally park as close to where they need to be so as not to alienate them from living as fulfilling a life as possible. So i don't agree they should pay. As you said it's an indication of disability and not wealth.

 

[markg14]

Personally I can't see the correlation between the marque of a car and driver's ability to walk. My stepson has a nice car, but he also has MS (which limits his walking range and therefore qualifies him for a blue badge).

 

[Boxbrownie]

Also not every car park gives free parking in the disabled bays, usually it's some of the council car parks. When I drive my neighbour (who had a severe stroke) into town and find a bay for him I am often surprised how few are free.

It does seem odd when you see a FFRR in a bay, but than as stated above wealth does not preclude disablement.

 

[television]

True, some you pay, some you do not, it just depends on the town, and where in the town.

 

[jenson1961]

there full of expensive cause there being paid for on disability living allowance
its out of control
steve

 

[television]

there full of expensive cause there being paid for on disability living allowance
its out of control
steve

We never got that.

 

[jenson1961]

We never got that.

no but a lot have, it makes my blood boil I don't mind when they generally need it its the shirkers that p*ss me of ,what other benefits do they scrounge
don't get me going ,its one of my pet hates

steve:x:x

 

[C350Carl]

no but a lot have, it makes my blood boil I don't mind when they generally need it its the shirkers that p*ss me of ,what other benefits do they scrounge
don't get me going ,its one of my pet hates

steve:x:x

Agreed it's annoying. But that's the minority affecting the majority as always.

 

[television]

Agreed it's annoying. But that's the minority affecting the majority as always.

I saw some of the immigrant and unemployed programs on Ch5 last night, they make my blood boil, why have 10 kids when you are on the dole, I am amazed how we can pay all these people who will never get a job in their whole life.

 

[jenson1961]

I saw some of the immigrant and unemployed programs on Ch5 last night, they make my blood boil, why have 10 kids when you are on the dole, I am amazed how we can pay all these people who will never get a job in their whole life.

im not political at all but the idea of community work for 18 to 21s if you leave school with no qualifications or what ever sounds like a vote winner to me

steve

 

[television]

im not political at all but the idea of community work for 18 to 21s if you leave school with no qualifications or what ever sounds like a vote winner to me

steve

100% with you, they can help build the roads and many other things till they have worked for their dole payment

 

[C350Carl]

I've said for a while now that instead of issuing these ASBO's (which some scrotes collect like medals!) they should do forced labour.

How cheap would it be to fix potholes if all you need to pay for is the material. The labour is free and it gives something back to the community. All it requires is a couple of qualifed specialists to ensure it's done right. They could also remove graffiti, fix broken shop windows and bus stops, litter pick, weed parks and verges etc. Then once the fcukwits have to start repairing stuff all the time they will stop breaking it and also stop their anti social behaviour.

There are enough people on benefits who are able to work. So make them earn the benefits. Then only those who are truly in need will be getting the help they deserve. Everyone else will be giving back to society.

Let me guess though. Forced labour is against their human rights....

Makes my sh!t itch.

 

[antijam]

My wife now has a Blue Badge. I take her out with me a lot more these days.

 

[bob 6600]

You need to be in receipt of either DLA at the higher rate (so blue badge does not mean free car) or the enhanced rate of PIP (Personal Independence Payment which replaced DLA)

Vehicles are on a 3 year lease and range from nothing upfront to around £2.5k.(there are some VW Transporters which are considerably more) In either case they will take your full allowance of around £56 p/w for the lease.

They have clamped down on the scheme in the last couple of years as you used to be able to pay around £10-15k and get a new X5 etc but they have capped the vehicles now. People were also subleasing illegally but now I think the owner has to live within a certain range of the benefit receipt.

 

[rf065]

Yesterday, whilst at my local supermarket, I walked past the blue badge parking bay, which was full of very expensive SUV's/MPV's. Way beyond my purchasing power.

Blue badge holders may not own these cars, the person with the disability may be a passenger in someone elses car, hence the badge and use of the parking space. All perfectly legit.

Russ

 

[BEJ]

A lot of council car parks are only free for drivers who are in receipt of disability living allowance AND who qualify for free road fund licence.
Those people who have a blue badge but who are not exempt from paying the RFL still have to pay to park.
A lot of the car parks in coastal holiday resorts-especially in the west country-use this system.
A friend of mine who lives in Devon has to pay to use disabled bays, so instead, he moves 10 metres down the road and parks - legally - on yellow lines.