Study reveals parking challenges for disabled Blue Badge holders

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 07:19 · Archive

Nearly nine in ten Blue Badge holders say parking is a major barrier to their independence, according to research by MoneySuperMarket.

Research by MoneySuperMarket surveyed 2,000 UK motorists, including 1,000 Blue Badge holders, and submitted Freedom of Information requests to councils to create a Priority Parking Index ranking local authority areas. The index measured factors including the number of Badge holders, disabled parking bays and penalty charge notices issued for misuse of disabled bays.

Durham County ranked as the most challenging area with a score of 6.75, having 35,697 registered Blue Badge holders and only 320 disabled bays – equivalent to 112 badge holders per bay. The authority also recorded 3,445 penalty charge notices for disabled-bay misuse. Blackpool and Redbridge scored next at 8.10, followed by York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Leicester and Salford.

The Telegraph & Argus reports that more than two-thirds of Blue Badge holders surveyed have avoided visiting certain places because of concerns about finding spaces. According to the Huddersfield Examiner, across England one in 20 people holds a Blue Badge, with 3.07 million people holding one as of 31 March 2025. The Badge allows holders to park closer to their destination, though strict regulations govern its use.

How it is being reported

• Blue Badge holders warned 'it's not a licence to park anywhere - 12 places you risk a £1,000 fineA Blue Badge is a disabled parking permit that allows holders to park closer to their destination, but there are strict rules about where it can be usedHuddersfield Examiner · 11 Oct, 06:45
• Blue Badge parking pressures revealed - where Bradford ranks for disabled driversA new study has ranked UK council areas for Blue Badge parking challenges, after 87.4% of disabled badge holders said parking was a barrier.Telegraph & Argus · 10 Oct, 10:25

In this story: MoneySuperMarket · Durham County · Blackpool · Redbridge · York · Doncaster · Sheffield · Leicester

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