Shropshire woman prosecuted for misuse of Blue Badge

Shropshire Council’s public protection officers are reminding relatives and friends of Blue Badge holders that they are not allowed to use Blue Badges to park in any designated parking places for people with disabilites, unless the Blue Badge holder is actually with them.  

The advice follows a successful prosecution taken by Shropshire Council under the Road Traffic Act 1984. 

On 4 January 2013 at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court, Stella Taylor, 51, from Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the misuse of a Blue Badge.  Taylor was ordered to pay a total of £537.  The offences took place between 22 March 2012 and 10 July 2012. 

The case was investigated following suspicions raised by the council’s civil enforcement officers that Taylor was misusing a Blue Badge belonging to a family member.  During the investigation, it became clear that Taylor used the Blue Badge to avoid paying parking charges in Shrewsbury town centre. 

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s public protection service manager for safer and stronger communities, said:

“Whilst we have prosecuted in this particular case, ultimately we do not want to take this level of enforcement action against individuals.  However, we have a duty to protect genuine Blue Badge holders, and consequently we will give serious consideration to prosecuting where we find evidence of improper use by people who are not entitled to use a Blue Badge.  Shropshire Council officers are committed to patrolling the streets across the county to ensure that the Blue Badge Scheme is not abused, and we will take enforcement action where this is necessary.” 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection and enforcement, said:

“Blue Badges are issued to assist the holder by allowing them, or the driver of the vehicle the holder is travelling in, to park closer to amenities.  Whilst people who park in designated spaces for people with disabilities when they are not entitled to do so may feel that they are doing nothing wrong, they are committing an offence; but more importantly, they are also preventing a genuine person with disabilities from using that space.  I strongly encourage everyone who has access to a Blue Badge to bear this in mind, and only to use it when they are legally entitled to do so.” 

For further advice about the Blue Badge Scheme, or to report suspected cases of misuse, contact Shropshire Council on 0345 678 9014 or access further information from the council’s website here.