EU not accepting UK Blue badges

[GMJ]

We have a blue badge as Mrs GMJ has MS. It annoys us intensely if spaces are taken by non blue badge visible vehicles, when we need to park. Supermarkets generally couldn't give a toss when I have mentioned it to the customer service desk. Vague assurances given that they will look into it, etc.

I had a run in with a woman once who took the last blue badge space to get her nipper out of the car whilst at Tesco. I reported her to the customer services and she stormed up shouting "I need the space. Its just the same as being disabled":...to which I offered my sympathy as I didn't realise her or her nipper were slowly dying from a degenerative disease which didn't enable them to walk very for or for very long without huge fatigue! This amused her even less!

I do have some sympathy with single parents/drivers with nipper(s) who have to get a pushchair or trolley first; then decant their kid. Worse still if their kids are toddlers and are 'runners'. However I also can't see why they get the spaces closest to the store entry point when all they need is a larger parking space for them and their paraphernalia.

 

[Fisherman]

Getting back to wether or not the blue badges should be accepted out-with the U.K. Well it seems to me that this is no more than some behaving like silly buggers. Prior to leaving the EU these badges were fine, so why not now. Also do we accept the equivalent from across the Chanel, I would like to think we do. And I say this as an avid non supporter of what happened.
What should be paramount here are the needs of those who qualify for blue badges. By virtue of the fact that you qualify for one, you are already disadvantaged through poor health. People in such a position should
not be used as pawns. If blue badges were fine in the past, and integrated within their systems, they should be accepted now.

 

[alcam]

Getting back to wether or not the blue badges should be accepted out-with the U.K. Well it seems to me that this is no more than some behaving like silly buggers. Prior to leaving the EU these badges were fine, so why not now. Also do we accept the equivalent from across the Chanel, I would like to think we do. And I say this as an avid non supporter of what happened.
What should be paramount here are the needs of those who qualify for blue badges. By virtue of the fact that you qualify for one, you are already disadvantaged through poor health. People in such a position should
not be used as pawns. If blue badges were fine in the past, and integrated within their systems, they should be accepted now.

Not sure if blue badge holders are being used as pawns . Think it is the same situation as taking your dog to EU .
It simply wasn't thought about and , by default , we are reclassified

 

[Fisherman]

Not sure if blue badge holders are being used as pawns . Think it is the same situation as taking your dog to EU .
It simply wasn't thought about and , by default , we are reclassified

I know what you mean, the B word had consequences, but I just feel that lifes tough enough for disabled people.
And my point applies not only to disabled people here, but also across the Chanel.
Surely common sense should prevail here.
As far as pets are concerned you can still take them I believe, but have new procedures to go through.
But as far as I am aware, disabled people are simply being banned from using their badges, with no alternative, other than having to apply to each country separately.
I am not a supporter of what happened, my point was in no way meant to support the B word.
My only concern being for people who need these badges.

 

[Robmac]

I don't have a problem with this, we are not in the EU anymore and so I am not surprised that they want to treat us as such.

Providing they aren't treating us differently to other none EU countries that is. Does anybody know if say, American disability badges are recognised in the EU?

 

[Fisherman]

I don't have a problem with this, we are not in the EU anymore and so I am not surprised that they want to treat us as such.

Providing they aren't treating us differently to other none EU countries that is. Does anybody know if say, American disability badges are recognised in the EU?

Rob, I am led to believe that this is a one way system currently. Eu citizens being able to use their badges here.
There is a system for our disabled to use, but you have to apply to each country separately.
This kind of thing seems wrong to my way of thinking.

 

[Robmac]

Rob, I am led to believe that this is a one way system currently. Eu citizens being able to use their badges here.
There is a system for our disabled to use, but you have to apply to each country separately.
This kind of thing seems wrong to my way of thinking.

There are a few one way systems like that Bill. It may end up as a tit for tat exercise?

I know 2 wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes we need to stand up for ourselves. It doesn't affect me personally as I don't use my van in the EU so I can't get too excited about it.

 

[Fisherman]

There are a few one way systems like that Bill. It may end up as a tit for tat exercise?

I know 2 wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes we need to stand up for ourselves. It doesn't affect me personally as I don't use my van in the EU so I can't get too excited about it.

I am lucky I don’t need a blue badge, but I just feel making life more difficult for those who do is wrong. This should have been sorted out when the DEAL was done.

 

[barryd]

Its like everything though that we once had as members of the EU. It has to be renegotiated as we are now no longer members and it has to be renegotiated with every single country. If you look at the list most countries now accept our badges. https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...e-eu/using-a-blue-badge-in-the-european-union

However its odd that the ones that are undecided seem to be the popular destinations with Brits. Apparently its difficult for officials and parking wardens to verify the authenticity of non EU badges, a problem EU badges do not have because they are of a common design and part of the same scheme. So its down to government to renegotiate with each country I guess. This should be no surprise though and the government should have planned ahead for this.

 

[Fisherman]

Bottom line here, disabled people (some in wheel chairs) are suffering here.
How can this be right. I would like to think that this will be sorted out soon.
Disabled people deserve better than this.

 

[Robmac]

I am lucky I don’t need a blue badge, but I just feel making life more difficult for those who do is wrong. This should have been sorted out when the DEAL was done.

I don't need one either Bill, but my wife does.

She doesn't have one though, we live on the Cambs/Beds border but officially in Bedfordshire although our GP is in Cambs. Her condition is such that she is ok sometimes and can walk for a reasonable distance with a few stops, but when she is bad she can't walk more than a few yards. At the moment she has been in Bed for 2 days without eating and can hardly even speak.

She has been turned down for a blue badge but our GP has told us that if we lived 500 yards East (in Cambridgeshire) she would have qualified easily.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I don't need one either Bill, but my wife does.

She doesn't have one though, we live on the Cambs/Beds border but officially in Bedfordshire although our GP is in Cambs. Her condition is such that she is ok sometimes and can walk for a reasonable distance with a few stops, but when she is bad she can't walk more than a few yards. At the moment she has been in Bed for 2 days without eating and can hardly even speak.

She has been turned down for a blue badge but our GP has told us that if we lived 500 yards East (in Cambridgeshire) she would have qualified easily.

That's crazy, Rob! Postcode lottery I guess.

But isn't the criteria supposed to be the same across England/UK?

 

[Robmac]

That's crazy, Rob! Postcode lottery I guess.

But isn't the criteria supposed to be the same across England/UK?

I thought so Marie but apparently not. Julie doesn't mind, she can't be bothered to fight it and just gets on with it.

Maybe I should buy her a motorbike?

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I've just looked up the blue badge eligibility criteria here.

Eligibility - Disabled Motoring UK

Looks like the usual type of tick box exercise which doesn't leave room for situations like your wife as some will be open to 'interpretation'.

Still a bit baffled as to why your GP can't help Julie get one though.
If you can get one in the next county then the same should apply to where you live

What about your local MP? They can actually be helpful with stuff like this.
Might be worth a quick email if nothing else?

 

[Robmac]

I've just looked up the blue badge eligibility criteria here.

Eligibility - Disabled Motoring UK

Looks like the usual type of tick box exercise which doesn't leave room for situations like your wife as some will be open to 'interpretation'.

Still a bit baffled as to why your GP can't help Julie get one though.
If you can get one in the next county then the same should apply to where you live

What about your local MP? They can actually be helpful with stuff like this.

She did have a try once a couple of years ago Marie and Andrew (Channa) gave her a lot of advice as he did when she got her DLA taken away and then reinstated. I seem to recall that a lot of the criteria was ambiguous and they could interpret it as they wished.

We might have another try, our neighbours keep on at us to do so as they often see Julie at her worst and they think it's criminal how she has been treated. I will ask her when she is feeling better.

 

[st3v3]

The France situation will be sorted out at some point, there is just quite a lot to go through.

Important to remember, this isn't like disabled people suddenly can't go to France, it's just needs a bit more thinking about. There is always somewhere else to park, it's just not as straightforward. And if anyone is used to dealing with stuff that isn't straightforward, it's a disabled person.

I know we are getting good at thinking differently.

 

[Robmac]

The France situation will be sorted out at some point, there is just quite a lot to go through.

Important to remember, this isn't like disabled people suddenly can't go to France, it's just needs a bit more thinking about. There is always somewhere else to park, it's just not as straightforward. And if anyone is used to dealing with stuff that isn't straightforward, it's a disabled person.

I know we are.

I have to agree Steve. They often have to jump through hoops (metaphorically of course!).

As I said, we don't use our camper abroad, but we have always got by in the UK and as you said it just takes a little more planning sometimes. Julie has always said, if she had a blue badge and was feeling ok, she would not use the privilege, if feeling bad then she would. Sometimes a little give and take is required even of the disabled.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I have to agree Steve. They often have to jump through hoops (metaphorically of course!).

As I said, we don't use our camper abroad, but we have always got by in the UK and as you said it just takes a little more planning sometimes. Julie has always said, if she had a blue badge and was feeling ok, she would not use the privilege, if feeling bad then she would. Sometimes a little give and take is required even of the disabled.

Hear, hear - and not just the disabled, but everyone else into the bargain!

 

[GMJ]

We take our blue badge with us when we go away in the MH but seldom use it whilst in the MH as it is so big, it wouldn't fit in many/any disabled spaces tbh. We do use the badge when we hire a car and will continue to do so as it would be a very over zealous traffic warden abroad who would know the rules I reckon.

 

[Robmac]

We take our blue badge with us when we go away in the MH but seldom use it whilst in the MH as it is so big, it wouldn't fit in many/any disabled spaces tbh. We do use the badge when we hire a car and will continue to do so as it would be a very over zealous traffic warden abroad who would know the rules I reckon.

Again I have to agree. Despite their reputation, many times Traffic Wardens have told Julie not to worry when parked on double yellows to go into a shop.

If they see her struggling they normally just say "carry on". I'm sure the French etc. would have acted in the same manner.