Blue Badge Amnesty In Calderdale

Friday, 12 February 2016 11:49

People in Calderdale, who have a blue badge which has expired or is no longer valid, are being given the opportunity to hand in their badge without facing penalty.

From Monday 22 February until Friday 4 March, Calderdale Council is hosting a blue badge amnesty, where people can hand in invalid blue badges to any Customer First office, with no questions asked or further action taken.

The blue badge scheme is for people with severe mobility problems. The misuse of the scheme is a problem all across the UK and has been highlighted as one of the areas of fraud that is on the increase. Recently, the Council held a blue badge action day, to crack down on blue badge abuse in Calderdale.

During this action day, four cases of blue badge misuse were discovered in Halifaxtown centre. One of these cases was found to still be using the badge of a deceased person, whilst the other three were being used whilst the badge holder was at home.

Following this day of action, the Council is now holding an amnesty for badges, so anyone who currently has a blue badge that they’re not entitled to use, can hand it in. Blue badges should be returned to the Council if:

The badge expires
The badge holder is no longer eligible
It is a replacement badge for one that is lost or stolen and the original is found/ recovered
The badge is so damaged/ faded that the details are not clear,
The badge is no longer required by the holder
The badge holder dies

The badges will then be taken out of circulation, to protect parking availability for disabled people who genuinely need them.

A further day of action will be held later in the year where enforcement officers will again be giving extra focus to the users of blue badges within the borough.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney, said:

“Most blue badge holders in Calderdale use their badge correctly, however there are a number of people who, whether intentionally or not, still hold, and unfortunately in some cases still use, badges which should no longer be in circulation.

“A policy to help us crack down on blue badge fraud is being discussed at Full Council on Wednesday 17 February, and along with this amnesty, is intended to be just part of a bigger campaign, not only leading to more rigorous enforcement, but also raising awareness and educating blue badge holders and users on the appropriate and legitimate use of a blue badge.”

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

Bhangra Nights

Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm
The Golden Era

The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.
Remix Saturdays

Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm