Blue badge tourist guides are the official, professional tourist guides of the united kingdom. The scheme does not apply to offstreet car parking, for example in. If you have a severe mobility problem, a blue badge can help you park close to where you. The blue badge scheme is for drivers or passengers with severe mobility problems and people. The blue badge scheme in england has now been extended to include people with nonvisible disabilities, which will make it easier for people with conditions such as dementia, parkinsons, autism, epilepsy and arthritis to qualify.
The blue badge scheme helps you park closer to your destination if youre disabled. I qualifified as a blue badge guide in 2004 after a career as a civil engineer working for major construction companies all round the uk but mostly in scotland. Information and advice on disabled parking permits blue badges. If youre using your blue badge in england or wales you will need to use a parking clock.
With many years of experience, we have an indepth knowledge of scotland and a deep passion for our country which we would be delighted to share with you. They are recognised by local tourist bodies throughout the uk, and by visit britain as britains official tourist guides. A blue badge allows you to park in lots more places and for more time than most drivers. City walks edinburgh a book written by myself which details 15 walks in and around the city exploring the old town, georgian new town, parks, gardens, art galleries and. The badge provides parking concessions for onstreet parking, allowing. Off street car parks, such as those provided in local authority, hospital. All you need to know about the blue badge scheme sky badger. Ken has been working in tourism for over 25 years and during this time he has ensured that thousands of visitors to scotland. Margot mcmurdo blue badge scottish tourist guide ceud mile failte.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please give us your feedback on how we can improve this service. They wear a blue badge to indicate their professionalism. The scottish government are endorsing new british parking association guidance1 that. If youre visiting from the eu, you can use your disability parking card instead of a blue badge.
A leaflet that explains who is eligible for a blue badge and how to apply. Administration of the blue badge scheme is devolved to the scottish parliament and scottish. The blue badge scheme explanatory booklet 7 8 red routes red routes are main roads in greater london where stopping for parking or loading is not allowed except at designated times and in. The blue badge scheme supports those with a disability to lead independent lives. Currently there is no national database of blue badge holders and we therefore. Blue badges and car parking disability information scotland. Scotland tourist guide, margot mcmurdos scottish tours. You can apply for or renew your blue badge online or directly to your council the mygov. The scheme gives concessions to blue badge holders when they park onstreet and holders may also benefit from special parking bays. Disabled parking blue badge scheme highland council. Driver guide services scottish tourist guides association.
You have to apply through your local council your doctor cant help you get a blue badge. The scheme provides a range of onstreet parking concessions enabling blue badge holders to park closer to where they need to go. Full details of eligibility criteria are included in the application form. A blue badge will help you park closer to your destination, either as a passenger or a driver. In england, scotland and wales you can apply on gov. The badge will be delivered to your home address along with an information booklet and parking clock for use if travelling in england and wales. In scotland, the scottish government has extended the blue badge scheme to include people with cognitive impairments. Visitscotland is delighted to recognise the scottish tourist guides association as the professional membership body for fully trained and accredited tourist guides in scotland. All of us are members of the scottish tourist guides association through which we are accredited as blue badge guides. The transport scotland blue badge working group, established in 2015, has been evaluating the pilot and put forward recommendations that the extension should be made permanent, which has now been agreed. There are over 2000 blue badge guides in england, scotland, wales, and northern ireland, who guide at britains tourist. The blue badge scheme operates ukwide, is administered by local authorities and applies primarily to onstreet parking.
Rights and responsibilities of blue badge holders nidirect. You can use your blue badge in most other countries. Your blue badge will be issued with an expiry date. Applying for a blue badge citizens advice scotland. Take your blue badge, or your latest v11 vehicle licensing reminder from dvla or dla404 from the department for work and pensions when you apply for your card. I have an interest, not only in history and storytelling, but also in film and tv locations. Blue badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours in england and wales, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading. If you struggle to get around and use a car, you could get a blue badge. Blue badges are issued from a national distribution centre and may take up to 10 working days for your badge to arrive.
Scottish government officials confirmed they will be now be adopting changes introduced in a pilot project in april 2016, meaning carers and relatives of people who pose a risk to themselves or others in traffic can apply for a badge. I have been sharing my passion for scotland with visitors since 1994 and have been a qualified blue badge tourist guide for scotland since 2000. The blue badge scheme explanatory booklet 2 1 what is the blue badge scheme. Stga accredited guides are passionate ambassadors for scotland and in providing our visitors with information and inspiration, help deliver a memorable experience for them. Offstreet private car parks, such as those provided in hospitals or supermarket car parks, are governed by separate rules. Disabled parking blue badge scheme disabled parking. If you are disabled, you may be able to park in restricted areas under the blue badge scheme.
A blue badge lets you park closer to your destination. This paper sets out the provisions of the bill as well as exploring the bill. We are scotland s only body of accredited national tourist guides established over 50 years, recommended by the scottish government and visitscotland discover edinburghs best kept secrets with an edinburgh tourist guide. The address and telephone number of your council will be in your local telephone book. Using your permit disability blue badge blue badge company. However the badge is intended for on street parking only. The scheme has been in operation since the 1970s and there are approximately 232,000 blue badges currently on issue in scotland. If you have a blue badge you may be eligible for extra concessions, such as exemption from road tolls or access to town centres where other vehicles are restricted. The blue badge scheme your blue badge will help you to park close to. A few weeks before the expiry date printed on your blue badge you should decide if you still need help to get around. The blue badge scheme is designed to help disabled people who have severe. Please note that a valid blue badge issued outside scotland, in the rest of the uk or by the authorities of another eu member state will be acceptable.
If you have a disability or if your child is disabled or has serious special needs, you may be. Alternatively you could show a copy of your blue badge or your disabled bus pass. Theres a different way to apply if youre in northern ireland. From cities to highlands and islands, dining to distilleries, golf, shopping, scenery, walks, wildlife and more a driver guide can take you on and off the beaten track to discover scotland s hidden gems. Using your blue badge permit and where you can park a blue badge will help you park closer to your destination, either as a passenger or a driver. While the scheme operates throughout the uk, there are small variations in its application in england, wales, scotland and northern ireland. Please read the rest of this leaflet for information on what parking concessions you are entitled to and how to use the badge. In scotland, police, traffic wardens and local authority car parking attendants have the power to inspect blue badges. The use and value of the blue badge scheme transport scotland. A blue badge will help you to park close to your destination, either as a passenger or driver. Money saving tips and discounts for disabled people. Go to your local councils website for information about the scheme.
The scheme is designed to help disabled people who have severe mobility problems. Misuse of a blue badge is a serious offence, if you misue your badge or allow others to misuse your badge, your badge will be withdrawn. For the last 20 years i served as directormanaging director on regional and national boards. This leaflet is available in large print, braille and audio tape formats. It does not automatically apply to offstreet car parks, such as local authority or supermarket car parks, or on privately owned roads, such as you might find at airports. Special rules for children with a disability under age 3. The highland council offers free parking to blue badge holders in all our offstreet car parks except the multi storey in inverness. Ken hanley is a blue badge member of the scottish tourist guides association, the only guiding association recognised by visitscotland. Disabled persons parking permit blue badge scheme falkirk. A guide on applying for a blue badge for people in scotland. You must reapply for a blue badge before your current one. I was born and brought up in scotland, and despite living and working abroad for an international whisky company, scotland remains my passion which i now get to indulge as a blue badge tourist guide. Please read the short description against each application form below to.
The holder of a blue badge is permitted to park in areas normally subject to restrictions to assist them to access healthcare, shops and other facilities. When phoning, ask the switchboard to put you in touch with the section dealing with blue badges. Scotland s blue badge scheme for disabled parking has been extended to cover carers of people with dementia, autism and downs syndrome. Edinburgh tourist guides scottish tourist guides association. In june 2014, the blue badge eligibility criteria was further extended.
I am delighted that the scottish government can permanently extend the criteria around the blue badge. The blue badge scheme is for drivers or passengers with severe mobility problems. A copy of your award letter from the department for work and pensions showing that you are eligible for disability benefits is normally accepted as proof that youre disabled if you are ever asked. Before you travel, check where you can park with a blue badge on gov. Book a guide directly scottish tourist guides association. Further information can be found at the blue badge scotland website. Can you get any extra concessions if you have a blue badge. The blue badge scheme is administered by your localcouncil. You can apply for a blue badge yourself, for someone else, or on behalf of an organisation such as a care home.
Sb 1424 disabled persons parking badges scotland bill. Uk to avoid getting a ticket, or on your local authoritys website if youre parking in scotland. You can also refer to transport scotland s document can i get a blue badge, a guide on applying for a blue badge for people in scotland. This is because the blue badge is there to help people who either have trouble getting about or have medical conditions that make having a car nearby vital. The badge displays our coat of arms which is protected by the lord lyon. Blue badge scheme extended in scotland third force news. The blue badge scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with. The disabled persons badges for motor vehicles scotland amendment regulations 2014 introduces two new eligibility criteria for a blue badge, covering people who were in receipt of hrmc dla, but who no longer get that award due to being assessed. Tours can range in duration from a half day to extended tours. A hundred thousand welcomes await you when you enjoy scotland in the company of a scottish tour guide.
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