The crackdown on Blue Badge abuse, by NCP Services' traffic attendants working on behalf of Roads Service, comes after consultation with the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) who believe abuse of Blue Badges is a big problem.
Simon Richardson, the Parking Enforcement Manager in the Department for Regional Development, warned that attendants will be carrying out targeted checks in Belfast city centre and other towns and cities and will ticket vehicles where it is believed the Blue Badge is being used incorrectly.
Common abuse of the badge scheme includes: family or friends using a badge without the badge holder travelling in the vehicle; overstaying the concession time allowed; and displaying the badge back to front, which prevents traffic attendants from identifying the serial number.
In June this year IMTAC undertook an awareness campaign to encourage Blue Badge holders and their family and friends to use Blue Badges properly. Roads Service will continue to work closely with IMTAC to plan enforcement action in this area.
Mr Richardson said: "Vehicles wrongly parked in bays reserved for Blue Badge holders have always been ticketed rigorously. However, we are now stepping up enforcement against people who have access to a Blue Badge and misuse it to take advantage of the concessions available.
"Unfortunately, it is very difficult to enforce Blue Badge abuse and I would ask all Blue Badge holders to be aware of the concessions available and make sure they use them properly. If any one believes they have unfairly received a penalty charge notice our Processing Unit will listen to genuine users and, if appropriate, cancel any wrongly issued tickets.
"We will not however cancel tickets given to people misusing the badge. In fact it may result in the badge being confiscated.
"It is not our intention to target genuine Blue Badge users. Our intention is to identify people who abuse the badge. We therefore need the help of all Blue Badge holders to make sure friends or family do not misuse their badge and to make sure the badge is displayed properly under the guidelines issued to them from the Department'', he said.
Notes to Editors:
The Blue Badge is issued by Roads Service to disabled people and older people who have diffiulties walking distances and need to park close to their destination.
The Badge allows holders certain parking concessions including free on street parking, use of on street accessible parking bays and parking for a limited period on yellow lines where it is safe to do so.
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0372
Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
