More than 1,000 fined for Blue Badge parking abuse in Kirklees

Aug 21 2009 By Neil Atkinson

MORE than 1,000 fines were handed out in just five months to local people abusing the Blue Badge disabled parking system.

And many more could be hauled before courts in Huddersfield and Dewsbury in the coming weeks – facing fines of up to £1,000.

It is part of a tough new crackdown announced today by Kirklees Council.

The local authority is joining a nationwide purge on Blue Badge fraudsters by councils after a survey by the Local Government Association revealed widespread abuse of the system.

Seventy seven people, over the last five months, have been reported to Kirklees Adult Services for misuse of the Blue Badge.

And an astonishing 1,066 £40 penalty charge notices have been issued for related offences, most given by parking attendants.

The concern is that people who legitimately need access to disabled parking spaces are suffering because of badge misuse by selfish and thoughtless people.

But another growing concern is that there is now a “black market” for those who have been making illegal copies of the Blue Badges and selling them.