Family anger over woman's blue badge refusal

Karen Williamson (left) said that she and her mother, Jean Hewitt (right), were angry they could not get a blue badge

A woman said she could not understand why her mother had been repeatedly denied a blue badge, despite severe mobility issues.

Karen Williamson from Hilgay, Norfolk, said her 87-year-old mother had several health issues and needed the disabled parking badge following three hip replacements.

Her case was being supported by MP Terry Jermy, who said "significant concern" had been raised about Norfolk County Council's processing of blue badge applications.

The council said it followed national guidance issued by the Department of Transport (DfT) and it was "unable to issue badges based purely on a diagnosed condition".

Mrs Williamson said the family had applied for a Blue Badge for Jean Hewitt on four occasions, but had been rejected each time: "She's had three hip replacements in the last 20 years - obviously with her age they're deteriorating again.

"She walks with a limp because of her hips and she has to have a mobility aid for walking."

Last year, 2.84 million blue badges were held in England

Mrs Williamson said that when she took her mother into town for shopping, she would have to drop her off in the street – then find a parking space before returning to her.

Government guidance states that you may be eligible for a badge if you find walking very difficult due to pain, or if you rely on mobility aids.

"It just makes us feel very angry – that when you get to that age and you've worked all your life and not claimed for a single thing - then you ask for one thing to help and you're being refused," said Mrs Williamson.

Blue badges - which allows their holders to park in places other people cannot – are in high demand, with about 15,000 issued in Norfolk every year.

The county council said it employed "dedicated investigators" to ensure the system was not abused.

MP Terry Jermy said he was concerned that people with legitimate needs were being denied blue badges

Jermy, the South West Norfolk Labour MP, said dozens of his constituents – with serious and long-term medical conditions - had been rejected: "People who are seriously ill are not getting the help they need.

"This is even more important for people living in rural areas like ours where the lack of public transport compounds issues."

A spokesman for the council said it did not comment on individual cases but it followed the government's guidance on blue badge requests and "any changes in how these assessments are carried out would need to come from central government".

"We sympathise with the hardships faced by those applying - many of whom have complex and challenging medical concerns.

"Unfortunately, the guidance dictates that we are unable to issue badges based purely on a diagnosed condition."

The DfT was asked for comment.