Gordon Marsden MP for Blackpool South today welcomed the Government’s launch of a public consultation on the Disabled Person's Parking Badge Scheme ("the Blue Badge Scheme").

The consultation, launched by the Government, will look at how the Scheme can better reflect the needs of the Blue Badge holder and also beef up its security to prevent abuse. Mr Marsden welcomed the consultation saying;

“The Blue Badge Scheme is excellent but it needs to reach the right people. It must help those that need the Badge to improve their mobility and independence, but also be robust enough to prevent abuse of the scheme.

“I have over the last few months pressed Blackpool Council strongly to improve parking availability and accessibility for people with disabilities and their carers. This consultation gives them and others the opportunity to look at whether we should extend the Blue Badge scheme – for example to carers driving people with advanced Alzheimer’s and parents of severely disabled children to have a badge.”

"I want people in Blackpool with experience of the Blue Badge Scheme to get involved in the consultation. Tell us what you think and feed in any ideas and experiences you have had, to help us make the Blue Badge Scheme the best that it can possibly be.”

The consultation runs until Thursday, 17 April 2008 and members of the public are encouraged to submit their views on the consultation document.

The document can be found on the Department for Transport website, and includes a response form to the consultation: www.dft.gov.uk/consultations 

For further information contact: The Accessibility and Equalities Unit, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR  

Tel:  020 7944 3533  or Email: bluebadgeconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk