Blue Badge misuse crackdown carried out in Bath
The enforcement campaign aims to secure parking for those who need it
During a dedicated week of action, Bath & North East Somerset Council checked hundreds of Blue Badges to combat their misuse and safeguard parking spaces for disabled motorists.
The council joined forces with 56 other councils in a concerted effort to remove misused Blue Badges and ensure that parking bays remain available for those who genuinely require them.
During the campaign, Civil Enforcement Officers in Bath & North East Somerset conducted 559 vehicle checks with support from their partner, OneWest.
While most Blue Badges were found to be used correctly, nine badges were seized due to misuse.
Councillor Joel Hirst, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Strategy, said: "Blue Badges are a brilliant scheme, and we want to make sure it is not being abused.
"We have taken part in this campaign now for five years in a row to help protect Blue Badge holders and their parking bays by tackling misuse, which takes away parking and access to our places for those that really need it.
"It's fantastic to see the vast majority of Blue Badges are being used correctly again this year, and although misuse of badges is rare it is of course something our Civil Enforcement Officers are out checking for every day, and a week of concentrated enforcement like this can really help make a difference and protect these spaces for those that really need it."
Examples of misuse include using a badge without the badge holder present, using a badge belonging to a deceased person, or using an expired badge.
Blue Badges are designed to assist individuals with disabilities or health conditions by allowing them to park closer to their destination.