Derby blue badge backlog cut down, council says

At one point about 2,500 disabled people were waiting to have applications processed

A backlog of people in Derby waiting for months to get new Blue Badges for their vehicles has been cut down, the council has said.

Delays for processing the applications, which allow those with mobility issues to park closer to amenities, reached 21 weeks last year.

The authority blamed budget pressures and was moving staff from other areas to help process the backlog.

Waits were now 21 days and should be cleared by the end of March, it said.

Expired badges

Badge holders can be either a driver or a passenger and the badge lasts for three years. 

According to the council's website more than 12,000 people living in the city have a Blue Badge, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

In August there were 2,500 disabled people waiting for a new badge.

At the time the council said badges that were up to four months over their expiry date could still be used at council-owned car parks, on-street parking and car parks at Royal Derby Hospital and the Florence Nightingale Hospital.

Paul Hezelgrave, cabinet member for cost of living and equalities, said: "The parking services team have carried out a large process review and implemented new ways of working, which means that the backlog now sits at 21 days, from what was 21 weeks back in November.

"It is envisaged that by the end of March 2024, the backlog will be cleared."