Up to now, Manchester City Council has made no charge for it's blue badges. It was entitled to recoup £2 of the cost but hasn't. Reported in the paper today, front page in fact, was the news that a £10 charge would be levied to cover the costs of a new, security updated permit valid for 3 years.
The City has recently had a lot of ' badge misuse ' and measures are being taken to reduce it.
So, on page two, the paper managed to find some moaning, never-had-a-job 62 yr old who complained about his heart/breathlessness/mobility and how he would be confined to his house for the rest of his life. A house, which, being in Wythenshawe, was built and provided by the same council he's now slagging off ! I bet he can still afford a few bevvies in the Cornishman, though ! Pity they didn't come and ask my opinion.
Well, cock, I'm 4 years older than you with similar health issues. £10 means £3.33p a year for the privilege of parking free for as long as you like in any council owned spot in the city or on yellow lines for 3 hours anywhere in the country. What a small price to pay !
I do so hate these moaning beggars who think the world owes them everything.
Moan over.
Ted
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Passes my "Reasonable Person" test - covers some of the cost of administration etc. Otherwise as you say Ted.
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Agree Ted the bloke is a A hole.We are happy to .pay the ten pounds for the blue badge which we did.
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I didn't know the blue badge was that good Ted. The single yellow aspect is terrific.
I've got a pacemaker and have been feeling pretty carp lately for assorted reasons, but I doubt if that would do the trick unless I whinged a lot and exaggerated, which goes a bit against the grain.
Almost sounds worthwhile to stop going for walks until I can hardly move, just for that £3.33 a year park-anywhere ticket. Even so, I don't think I will. People would only say it was my own fault, and it would be of course.
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I promise not to start re the motability drivers yesterday in Kwik Fit. I know its easy to jump to conclusions and brand everyone the same but. . . .
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>>I've got a pacemaker and have been feeling pretty carp lately for assorted reasons, but I doubt if that would do the trick unless I whinged a lot and exaggerated, which goes a bit against the grain<<
'You sort' of people make I larf Sire, you've no-doubt put enough into the system in your life, so why not accept a little back if its at all possible.
At least you're not like:
(A) My sisters 46 year old SiL who sits on his Khyber all day with a tin of Stella in one hand, and a fag in the other, he has managed to knock out 5 kids though, all on the social, as are his r g/children.
(B) My Plymouth friends 25 year old son, never done a single days work in his life, his mother managed to wangle disability living allowance and a social housing flat for him by telling a pack of lies to the DWP.
No pride in that though is there, he'll always be a welfare pig as far as I'm concerned.
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My old uncle, a tool maker, when working but now long since retired and disabled had his blue badge nicked and side window smashed in.
He got a new badge, but before fitting it, he ambled into his workshop and made up a mild steel frame and grille ( a bit like an envelope ) and sealed in the badge. He then chained his new badge around the steering column.
Many years later the badge is still there.
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The Association of Disabled Bikers sell a secure holder so you can use the permit on your motorbike. ( Yes, that's quite legal, as is, I would think, Pat's wee truck !)
Manchester has a very relaxed policy with regard to all two-wheelers, there being secure points on lots of wider pavements in the City Centre. I haven't needed to use my permit on the bike yet because of this. Talking to a parking warden about things a few months ago I asked about motorbikes and she said they would only get ticketed if they were a severe obstruction or in a loading bay. Yellow lines were fine otherwise.
If you get Disability Living Allowance, Lud, then you are entitled to a blue permit without question.
Ted
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>>If you get Disability Living Allowance, Lud, then you are entitled to a blue permit without question.
Not necessarily - varies around different areas but there are plenty in receipt of DLA (such as schizophrenics) who won't get a blue badge.
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Ah......seems to be the case in these 'ere parts, Lyg. Assumed it was national. I know the blue badge people only wanted to see my entitlement letter which didn't mention health specifics.
Perhaps they find out another way as to what you're suffering from.
Ted
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Unless a person's on DLA already won;t be allowed it once past state pension age. Filled out a couple of BB applications for some clients down the CAB. DLA didn't auto entitle. Needed supporting letter from a GP. Might get it automatically if they're on the mobility component though - would sort of make sense.
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>> If you get Disability Living Allowance, Lud, then you are entitled to a blue permit without question.
Much as I covet free parking without ludicrous harassment and mean-spirited pickpocketing attempts by local so-called authorities, I can't reasonably claim to be disabled. A bit less abled than I used to be of course, but that's normal.
Nor would it be wise of me to say I wish I was disabled. Bad Karma.
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Until April 2012 it cost £40 for a BB in Scotland - GP who signed a form & Council each charged £20.
Now it is a form sent directly to the Council it is £20.
My complaint is how ill have you to be to get Badge. Chap I know has COPD (lung disease).........he can walk 50yds on the flat maximum and on a slight slope next to nothing. Refused on grounds he could walk 50 yds - BB only available to people paid higher DLA/war pensioners and others with complex support issues.
He was told he could re-apply in 6 months............he might not be around as this will be 4+ yrs into the 5 yr life expectancy on diagnosis.
I applied and again was refused as I can walk 100yds+ on a good day......<25 yds on a bad day......so I have to organize my days out/shopping for my good days........unfortunately the pattern of good days is random. Today and Thursday & Friday were not good days. I have been up since 4am with pain in feet and legs, walking is very difficult........won't being going further than garden gate today
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tinyurl.com/cgjh59j
That's the Wales eligibility criteria.
Last edited by: R.P. on Sun 22 Jul 12 at 10:00
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If we chop bits off that post so it fits, would it qualify for a blue badge?
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Fits perfectly on a proper browser ! I'll trim it now dear.
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I have the same problems as Falkirk Boy.....pain and discomfort in the feet and lower legs. My balance when stood still is not very good, I now find something to steady myself. Some days good, lots not.
I was probably thinking of the higher rate when I mentioned that the badge was given automatically.
After I applied for DLA, many years ago, I was visited by a local GP, unannounced. He wanted to give me a medical at home and asked me to strip off and lie on the bed. I told him my wife was in bed ill, so he ' did ' me on the settee. He was well known locally as a nasty, arrogant man, Happily, no longer with us.
He then did the questionnaire. We sat opposite each other at the table. I knew about the 50 yards walking bit. When we came to that question, I told him, quite truthfully, that I became fatigued and started to suffer from angina after about 40 yds walking. He wrote 100 down....was he too arrogant to think that people couldn't read something upside down ?
My application was turned down....of course. Social welfare advised an appeal on the basis that the doctor had lied. Within a week I got a letter saying my appeal had been successful and I was awarded higher rate DLA for life....I wonder why ! My guess is they didn't want that in the Manchester Evening News !
I just wonder if, as a matter of pride, some folk try to make light of their illnes and try to ' big up ' what things they can actually perform. My late MIL was one of those, asked by a doctor what she could do, in her 90s, she said she could clean, cook meals and look after the house. She could do none of those things for herself, but pride wouldn't let her admit it.
Ted
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Ted, One of the problems with DLA is that the forms are not looked at by anyone with any medical knowledge initially. My GP became increasingly irked and frustrated when we had problems when my son turned 18 - as he said "Hmm, aren't heart defects, multiple x major bowel surgery, Leukaemia, thyroid problems, connective tissue issues, learning difficulties, communication problems and a chromosomal defect enough, without requiring more information yet again?"
Hey ho - we did eventually qualify!
For those with mobility problems that vary from day to day, you are expected to put down your ability on a bad day, not a good day - otherwise those with conditions such as MS would not qualify.
For those with a life threatening condition, ie cancer, then there is a special additional form which should be filled in by the hospital and will be processed in double quick time.
There are various groups who will help, Carers Together is one, The Princess Royal Trust will also point you to help. Incidentally, Ted, they are also invaluable if you care for someone. I carry a card stating I am a carer and who for. If I am involved in an accident or become seriously unwell, then they have a full history for my son and would organise 48 hours of care immediately until the family can take over.
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I haven't heard of this special additional form for cancer.New to me.Iam a carer for my wife and if anything happens to me she will be cared for.
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>> For those with mobility problems that vary from day to day, you are expected to
>> put down your ability on a bad day, not a good day - otherwise those
>> with conditions such as MS would not qualify.
>>
Yet when you suffer Dimentia it's based on where you are on the day. If you are in a specialist unit you are seen as a low risk, out in the community the same person can be at the opposite end of the scale.
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>> Yet when you suffer Dimentia it's based on where you are on the day. If
>> you are in a specialist unit you are seen as a low risk, out in
>> the community the same person can be at the opposite end of the scale.
Its always a moving target that one.
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I've found with Dimentia there are good days and bad days like any other disease.
What I was badly trying to raise is why some are given the option of documenting a bad day on a good day whereby others are not.
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Surely in diagnosed cases of dementia driving and car ownership would be prevented?
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>>Surely in diagnosed cases of dementia driving and car ownership would be prevented?
In severe cases, yes. In many mild cases patients are still capable of driving safely especially if they stay near home.
The same goes for brain-injured/stroke sufferers - if in doubt they can be assessed by specialist centres and will be advised they are ok, can drive with modifications to the vehicle or refresher lessons, or to stop altogether if necessary.
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Again a grey area I suspect AC. Not applicable in the case I stated above as my Mother never had a driving licence but what of family or care assistants ?
Again, depends on agility of the individual in the environment they are being cared for in. Of course they will score low in a specialist unit (if they are anything else then what is the specialist unit doing or how far are they gone ?).
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Heard a sad tale today about carers who 'kick the bucket' shortly after the demise of those they care for.
It seems carers have little support after years caring for their charges. Many have little or no chance of returning to work after years out.
Alcohol seems to be a common route!
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>>For those with a life threatening condition, ie cancer, then there is a special additional form which should be filled in by the hospital and will be processed in double quick time
The form in question is the DS1500 - it is filled in for those whose life expectency is realistically 6 months or less.
Many people, however, who on average would be expected to live less than 6 months will live far longer than this (eg. Megrahi).
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It is a grey area Lygonos in my opinion.Surgeons are relucted to give you a death certificate that is what it is.How much fiddling is going on to get this badge?
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>>How much fiddling is going on to get this badge?
If you are referring to the 'blue badge' for preferential parking treatment then I reckon over 50% of those issued locallyare to people who aren't bad enough to justify (the vast majority have some degree of disability just not as bad as they suggest it is).
The criteria locally were roughly anyone who could not walk 75-80 metres without suffering significant pain, or only able to manage at a very slow pace, would likely qualify.
The vast bulk of 'arthritics' I see with badges are more than capable of walking 100 yards.
For a laugh watch all the middle-aged men within half-a-mile of your local health centre who have walking sticks, and see if the stick is doing anything other than swinging by their side.
Too many people convince themselves they are invalids - they are usually the types who love to discuss their illnesses (as if it is some kind of personal possession - referring to it as "my arthritis/diabetes/M.E. etc") over almost any other topic of conversation - and who almost invariably are looking for a fix for their problems (which are often due to self neglect, or simply getting older).
I've occasionally had a few chaps come in and ask about it simply because "I'm 84 now" - some of these old bu66ers can walk better than me!
Rambling aside, I think anyone wishing a Blue Badge should be examined physically, and watched mobilising, before receiving it.
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>>Too many people convince themselves they are invalids - they are usually the types who love to discuss their illnesses (as if it is some kind of personal possession - referring to it as "my arthritis/diabetes/M.E. etc") over almost any other topic of conversation<<
How right you are guvnor, they are their illnesses!
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>> My GP became increasingly irked and frustrated when we had problems when my son turned 18 - as he said "Hmm, aren't heart defects, multiple x major bowel surgery, Leukaemia, thyroid problems, connective tissue issues, learning difficulties, communication problems and a chromosomal defect enough, without requiring more information yet again?"
No they are not enough by themselves and this does lead to frustration.
DLA is awarded dependent upon HOW the conditions affect you, not simply because you have a condition.
Where blindingly obvious awards are refused, it is usually because the information given on the form is a list of diagnoses rather than...
"Needs help with putting on/removing clothes, needs prompting with medication, unable to prepare own meals as danger to self near cooker, cannot safely cross the road alone" etc etc.
I assume our CAB helpers will have seen similar cases.
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CAB fill them out as a matter of routine - in fact they run courses on them. DWP and Job Centre Plus officially signpost to CAB if an application fails. Some CABs receive funding from them just to do this - our branch has a JCP guy turn up once a month to see people. Not the totally dreadful monolith people make them out to be at times...(at times !) DLA forms are not easy to complete our bureau routinely books 2x50min appointments to fill them out. When I was doing my adviser training - I found them tedious and bad for my attention span.
Mobility components of DLA don't necessarily get awarded to people that can drive btw.
On a separate note why should BB holders be exempt from paying car parking charges as they are in some areas ?
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>>>>exempt from paying car parking
I wonder if this is to encourage them into the car parks, rather than using double/single yellow line parking?
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I think you're right there, Dee. We recently visited a museum in Hawes which wanted us to pay £2.50 on the car park. The quiet cul-de-sac had double yellers.
We didn't stop, as it happens, but I could have had my 3 hours on the road..... just what the parking restriction is there to stop.
Ted
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Our town has a pedestrianised high street in which, until recently, BB holders were able to park for no charge. There was a campaign for this to be stopped as (a) there is a market on some days and (b) it was felt that it was not safe to have vehicular movement in a strret designated for pedestrian use only.
This absolute parking ban was recently brought in by Notts. County Council for a trial period.
All the BB holders screamed in outrage, despite the fact that there is a public, paying, car park within a few metres of the start of the high street. (BB holders DO have to pay here, even in their designated spaces).
Additionally there is a "Shop Mobility" scheme with electric scooters available at the paying car park.
Because of the vocal and organised campaign the ,CC has reversed its decision, now saying that parking for BB holders WILL be allowed pending a long drawn out public consultation. (Think £££ of ratepayer's money).
I strongly suspect that the REAL reason was that the BB holders were outraged at NOT being allowed to park for no charge in the pedestrianised high street.
Last edited by: Roger on Mon 23 Jul 12 at 12:14
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Free blue badge parking used to be allowed in Market Place in Durham City.
It was abused in the sense that a couple of regulars would turn up early and park there for hours on end, just watching the world go by.
Gave them something to do, but the spaces were effectively blocked for casual shoppers.
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Blue badge charge. - R.P.
