The Welsh Assembly has revealed plans to improve the blue badge scheme for disabled parking in Wales. These include extending eligibility for use of the spaces to disabled children under three, people with temporary conditions and new groups of disabled people. The improvements will also include streamlining the badge application process and improving systems to tackle abuse of the scheme.

Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said that the changes would take up to five years to deliver for the around 230,000 badge holders in Wales, although he confirmed that the assembly government would prioritise some areas.

Mr Jones said: ‘The blue badge scheme has been going for nearly 40 years and has helped registered blind or severely disabled people to park close to the facilities and services they need. But we now feel it is time to completely re-look at the scheme to ensure it is fit for purpose, which is why we commissioned the wide-ranging consultation on which this action plan is based.’

Mr Jones added: ‘We need to ensure that the people who are most in need of a blue badge are able to access the service quickly and efficiently, and we make best use of modern technology to reduce the abuse of the blue badge scheme.’

The Welsh Assembly plans follow last year’s Disabled Person’s Parking Act (Scotland) 2009, which is designed to prevent unauthorised people parking in designated accessible spaces. Mr Jones said the assembly government was liaising with the UK government and other devolved administrations to ensure that a ‘cohesive scheme is developed across the UK’.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8449439.stm