Hereford pensioner despairs of Blue Badge renewal

A Hereford pensioner says he is fed up at the trouble he has faced in trying to renew his disabled parking badge – which Herefordshire Council has now taken off him.

Terry Morton, 88, of the city’s Grandstand Road area, was issued with a Blue Badge three years ago due to his mobility problems, allowing him up to three hours’ free parking in council-run car parks and use of their dedicated disabled spaces.

But this ran out on January 1, while he was in Hereford County Hospital with a kidney ailment.

When discharged, he applied at the council’s Plough Lane headquarters in Hereford to renew the badge, and was given a number to ring to arrange this.

“They told me I needed a new colour photo – I’ve only had the old one three years – and that I should wait for a phone appointment on February 23, which I waited in for but never came,” he said.

Returning to Plough Lane, he was redirected instead to the council’s main public-facing office in the city’s Blueschool Street.

Here, not only was he then told another appointment would have to be re-booked in a few further weeks’ time, but staff then held onto his now-outdated Blue Badge for good measure.

“I told them to stuff their Blue Badge,” he said.

“But it means I can’t get into the city centre, where I could be supporting its businesses.”

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “The Blue Badge scheme is governed by Department for Transport guidance, which includes requirements for applicants to provide a recent photograph and to return any old badges to ensure they are issued correctly and reduce the risk of misuse.

“We appreciate that not everyone can complete applications online and the council offers in-person and telephone appointments, including assistance with taking or submitting photographs where required.”

They added: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, Herefordshire Council is committed to assisting any resident who needs help to complete their Blue Badge application.”