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Suddenly, we sense stirring from the Government on the Blue Badge scheme. The first meeting of a working group to create Guidance on the Right to Inspect Blue Badges (issued to Blue Badge holders and enforcement officers) has been arranged for mid-December.
Why is this important? The provisions of Section 94 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, that give police officers, traffic wardens, local authority parking attendants and civil enforcement officers the power to inspect badges don't come into play until guidance has been issued.
So, is it time for a big hurrah? No – even after the working group has completed its task there will be a further round of consultation.
We are grateful that action is at last being taken and the Christmas season isn't the time for cynicism . . . but really!
We experienced more than ten years waiting for a review of the Blue Badge scheme. We then had two years waiting for the DPTAC Report that followed the creation of a Steering Group involving the DDMC. A further nine months waiting for the Government to respond to DPTAC (a committee set up by the Secretary of State for Transport).
After this, a further wait for legislation giving the right to inspect - and yet another delay before the eventual creation of a working group.
After this has done its work, how much longer? We have a right to expect that consultation is completed quickly.
The Blue Badge scheme – a vital lifeline - is creaking at the seams and Government needs to ensure that this whole saga doesn't grind to a halt because of the forthcoming General Election.
It is a nonsense that, in England and Wales, a badge abuser has no right to be challenged.
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