Two Drivers Convicted for Misusing Disabled Blue Badges in Central Bedfordshire Crackdown
As part of a targeted crackdown on Blue Badge fraud, two drivers have been convicted at Luton Magistrates’ Court for illegally using disabled parking badges in Central Bedfordshire. The enforcement operation, led by council officers in May, aimed to prevent misuse of the Blue Badge system and protect spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
Kathryn Loveday, of Dormer Avenue, Wing, was caught using her husband’s Blue Badge to park in a disabled bay. Although she claimed to have dropped him off prior to parking, CCTV evidence revealed otherwise. Loveday was fined and received penalties totaling £445.
In a separate case, Lorraine Warnock, of Alwins Field, Linslade, was found using her father’s Blue Badge to park while picking up his prescriptions without him being present. She was fined £206 for the offense.
Councillor John Baker, representative for finance and highways, commented: “These convictions highlight the importance of protecting the integrity of the Blue Badge system. Misuse deprives genuine badge holders of accessible parking spaces. Our enforcement actions and resulting penalties send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. We are committed to ensuring that the rights of our disabled residents are upheld.”
The council has stated that it will continue to take robust enforcement actions against Blue Badge misuse to safeguard the accessibility rights of those who genuinely need them.