Declares that Blue Badge drivers should be able to drive in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods without being fined; further declares that fining causes Blue Badge drivers physical hardship, anxiety and mental health issues; further that it is wrongly assumed that many disabled people can walk or cycle.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitions and make it mandatory to include in the DVLA Vehicle Registration Database, along with names & addresses of vehicle owner, an exemption marker for those with Blue Badges and life-threatening conditions from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and time restrictions without clear justification; and that this information must be used by all local councils and private enforcement companies as to not issue PCNs to these drivers.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Official Report, 10 January 2024; Vol. 743, c. 7P.]
[P002896]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Guy Opperman):
The introduction of traffic management measures, including low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), is a matter for local authorities. It is for them to ensure that any restrictions are developed in a way that enables them to meet their obligations under equalities legislation, including considering the impact on disabled people.
LTNs can be implemented using traffic sign restrictions or physical measures, such as planters. Local authorities already have the ability to exempt Blue Badge holders from traffic sign restrictions, and therefore from any enforcement action. In England, the Blue Badge scheme is entirely a matter for each local authority.
Drivers who are disabled must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), but it is important to note that the DVLA database does not hold a record of Blue Badge holder details. Blue Badges are registered to individuals, rather than a specific vehicle, and therefore can be used in any vehicle in which the badge holder is travelling.
The Government believe that effective traffic management should not be about dictating travel choices; rather, it should be about enabling more choice in how people make their journeys, and all such initiatives must work for residents, businesses and emergency services.
It was for this reason that the Prime Minister announced a review of LTNs, to look at how they are working and whether they are providing the appropriate choices for walking, wheeling and cycling that we want to see, without unfairly penalising motorists. The Government want to ensure that changes to local roads are made after the views of communities have been properly considered and are implemented in a way that does not dictate how people should travel.