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Blue badges Scheme

 

The Blue Badge scheme is a national parking concession scheme for people who:

  • have an enduring and substantial disability which causes  them, during the course of a journey, to:
    • be unable to walk;
    • experience very considerable difficulty in walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress; or
    • be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person
  • are severely sight impaired (blind)
  • have severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand
  • Please note: If you are applying for a Badge under the new "Hidden Disability" criteria you will need to provide supporting evidence from your healthcare professional or consultant (not your GP).

It allows badge holders to park close to their destination. The national concessions apply only to on-street parking but many car park owners, including the Council also allow concessions such as free parking.

The Council are responsible for issuing Blue Badges to residents of Bedford Borough who meet the criteria.

Parking with a Blue Badge

You must always display your Blue Badge and the disabled person's parking disc showing the time of arrival.

You can only park with a Blue Badge if the badge holder is driving the vehicle or the badge holder is being dropped off or picked up at the place where the vehicle is parked. The parking must be of benefit to the badge holder (eg a badge holder cannot stay in a parked vehicle whilst another person leaves the vehicles to visit as shop etc).

Where you can park with a Blue Badge

Badge holders may park free of charge and without any time limit at on-street parking meters and on-street "pay-and-display" parking, unless a local traffic order specifying a time limit for holders of disabled parking Badges, is in force.

Badge holders may be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on other users. Badge holders may usually park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours except where there is a ban on loading or unloading. You cannot park the same vehicle in the same road for least one hour after leaving.

Remember: always check local signs for information on parking.

Parking on private land including council car parks

You are not automatically entitled to park free of charge in privately owned car parks.  Please check the signs in the car park for any restrictions.

Blue Badge holders can park in Bedford Borough Council car parks free of charge and without any  time limit.

How to apply for a Blue Badge

Apply for a Blue Badge using the Government's national application form.

Renew or apply for your Blue Badge on the GOV.UK website using the national application form.

Access a visual guide on how to apply for a Blue Badge using the GOV.UK website.

There is a £10 charge for each Badge.  Please do not send any payment with your application form.  Please be aware until payment is received, a blue badge cannot be issued. 

Photographs

The Blue Badge is a two-sided card with space for a photograph of the badge holder on the back of the card. You must provide two recent photographs which you should sign on the back. You may send passport-type photographs taken from self-service booths or any suitable photographs cut down to a passport photo size (the Council reserves the right to refuse photographs it considers unsuitable.

 

Replacement applications

To replace lost badges applicants must pay the required £10 fee.

Please report the loss of your Blue Badge by calling 01234 228588. At this point you will be asked to pay for your replacement badge using a debit/credit card.

Blue Badge not received

If you do not receive your Blue Badge within 28 days of making payment you MUST inform Bedford Borough Council on 01234 718009. Failure to report the non-receipt of the badge within 28 days will result in you having to pay an additional administrative fee.

Who to contact

Telephone
E-mail
blue.badges@bedford.gov.uk
Website
Blue Badge

Where to go

Name
Bedford Borough Council
Address
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
Postcode
MK42 9AP
Get directions

Time / Date Details

Time of day
Morning
Afternoon

Other Details

Costs

Details
There is a £10 charge for each Badge
Age Bands
11-14 years old
18-25 years old
Parents and carers
15-17 years old
0-4 years old
5-10 years old