Blue badge users call for tougher misuse penalties

Most of the survey's respondents said they wanted changes to the way disabled parking spaces were policed

Tougher penalties and the ability to report those who misuse disabled parking spaces in Jersey are among the things sought by respondents to a survey on blue badges.

Of badge-holders surveyed, 57% said they saw non-disabled people using disabled parking bays five or more times in the past year.

The majority said they wanted changes to the way spaces were policed, and there was also a call for better signage on the roads.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said some improvements had already been made, but he also urged islanders to report misuse.

The survey was commissioned after a meeting with local blue badge holders last year, during which the government identified the need to gather feedback on the scheme to inform future policy on disabled parking.

It was specifically targeted at badge holders to better understand their unique needs, a decision approved by Jehan.

The results have now been published, and cover a range of issues from the badge application process, the provision of spaces and the misuse of them.

The results of the survey showed:

• 57% of respondents reported seeing non-disabled people use disabled parking five times or more in the last year

• 61% of respondents said improving signage was the best way to stop abuse

• Higher misuse penalties (34%) and changes to policing of bays (41%) were among the things wanted by respondents

• 86.88% of people said being able to report abuse was important to them

• The hospital (33%) and Broad Street (28%) were the places blue badge holders wanted more spaces

Jacqueline Hilton-Egre said blue badge holders were pleased to have their say

Disability rights campaigner and former deputy Jacqueline Hilton-Egre said she was pleased to see the government making changes to stop abuse.

She said: "They are still being abused, the survey shows that quite clearly, and there is extra work to be done around that, and I believe the minister will commit to carrying out that work".

She also acknowledged that the policing of disabled bays had improved since it was highlighted it as a significant issue.

Fines for abuse of disabled parking on street is already higher than other parking offences.

Ms Hilton-Egre said the findings of the survey backed her view that spaces should be reinstated on Broad Street in St Helier.

"We have the post office, the banks, M&S [Marks & Spencer]... and now it's been proven by the results of the survey that Broad Street is important to blue badge holders."

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said changes have been made

In response to the findings of the survey, Jehan said his department had already made efforts to change road markings and add spaces around the island.

He said: "We've introduced painted blue bays, and we've seen less abuse of those parking bays.

"We've introduced 18 new parking spaces for blue badge holders around St Helier, and we're really pleased with the progress."

Jehan said he also did not rule out the possibility of bringing in tougher punishments.

He said: "We encourage people to call us if they're aware of parking spaces being abused because people have blue badges for a reason, and we want to make sure they can access those spaces."

The survey pointed out that people could already report abuse to parking control, but that other methods were being considered.