NHS Bath & North East Somerset

Working together for health & wellbeing

The Health and wellbeing partnership conprises NHS Bath and North east Somerset (NHS banes PCT) and Bath and North East Somerset (banes) Council working together in partnership.

Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. The scheme operates throughout the UK.

About the Scheme

The concessions apply to on-street parking and include free use of pay-and-display bays. Badge holders may also be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on others and can park for up to three hours on single and double yellow lines, as long as they are not causing an obstruction and the badge and time clock are displayed. (except where there is a ban on loading or unloading or other restrictions).

Charges apply in some of the car parks in Bath. You must consult the tariff boards after parking but before leaving the car park.

Do You Qualify?

You are automatically eligible to apply for a badge if you are over two years old and either:

receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
are registered severely sight impaired (blind)
receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement

Subject to assessment you may also be eligible for a badge if you are over two years old and either:

have a permanent and sustainable disability which means you cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult
drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them)

If you are a parent of a child who is less than two years old, you may apply for a badge for your child if they have a specific medical condition which means that they either:

must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty
need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital

How to apply for a Blue Badge

Note. In order to complete your application you may need the following

Your National Insurance (NI) number – This number consists of 2 letters 6 numbers then a single letter and is issued to everyone over the age of 16 by the Department of Works and Pensions.. You will find this number on all correspondence that you may have received regarding Benefits or Pensions.
Contact details for your GP and any other health professional that you have seen in connection with your illness/disability.
Details of your old Blue Badge (if applicable).
A recent photograph similar to those obtained from a photograph booth
Copies of a recent utility bill or similar document
Copies of a passport or driving licence etc to prove your identity

Please note that due to the requirement for a signature and photograph to be incorporated within the badge you are unable to apply online. A specimen application form, including guidance notes, can be found via the related documents.

Information For Blue Badge Holders

Where Can I Park with My Badge?

Advisory Disabled Bays
Bath and Keynsham Controlled Parking Zones
On-Street Designated Disabled Parking Bays
Some Yellow Line Waiting Restrictions

Advisory Disabled Bays

These are found primarily in residential areas and there is no limit on the length of stay; unfortunately, as the title suggests these bays are advisory only. The Council is unable to take enforcement action against inconsiderate parking by non badge holders.

Bath and Keynsham Controlled Parking Zones

Blue Badge Holders may park in the same controlled parking zones as resident and business permit holders. The badge must be clearly displayed at all times during the restricted hours. The restricted times are usually Mon- Sat 8am to 6pm, zone entry signs at all vehicle entry points to a zone will indicate the times and days that the restrictions apply.

On-Street Designated Disabled Parking Bays

These are primarily found in town centres and will have a sign to show that the bay is restricted for use by badge holders only. Enforcement action is taken against non badge holders or if the badge is not clearly displayed.

Off -Street Parking - Car Parks

With the exception of the bays at the entrance to Charlotte Street car park parking charges now apply to blue badge holders in ALL Pay & Display and Pay on Foot car parks IN BATH ONLY with the exception of the Sports & Leisure Centre Car park in North Parade. The tariff boards in each car park indicate the charges that apply.

Yellow Line Waiting Restrictions

Parking on double and single yellow lines is permitted for a period up to three hours providing you clearly display a valid blue badge and set the time clock.

You are not allowed to park on yellow lines when loading restrictions are in force or where you would cause an obstruction such as parking in front of a dropped kerb. Loading restrictions are indicated by yellow line markings along the kerb.

The badge does not entitle you to park anywhere. The blue badge scheme booklet gives full details on where you can and cannot park. You must observe highway restriction and ensure that you do not park where your vehicle is likely to cause an obstruction.

Failure to display the badge and or the time clock or contravene highway restrictions may result in a penalty charge notice being issued which will be enforced.

Further Advice and Information

More information on the Blue Badge Scheme can be found at the Department for Transport’s website.

Department For Transport

An Advisory leaflet entitled ‘Can I get a Blue Badge?’ is available from the Department for Transport by e-mailing dft@twoten.press.net – please quote reference T/INF/1233

Contact Details for this page:

Team:

Parking Services

Address:

PO BOX 122, Bristol, BS31 9AE

Phone:

01225 477133 or 01225 477134

Fax:

01225 477130

Email:

parking@bathnes.gov.uk

Minicom:

01225 394116

Author:

Sadie Cox

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