Changes to disabled parking rules could be on the way in Blackburn with Darwen

It has removed the restriction on providing two within 40 metres of each other - paving the way for more bays on one street - and explicitly stated that being registered as a Blue Badge holder within the borough entitles a driver to such a spot outside or near their home.

But the council has also stressed that the bays are advisory and not legally enforceable in most circumstances.

The revised policy is set to be approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board when it meets on Thursday evening.

If approved, the changes bring the council’s policy into line with the practice of neighbouring Lancashire County Council.

The authority’s growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: “We regularly review our policies, and these changes were made as a result of resident feedback to ensure the application process for a disabled bay is robust but accessible.

“Key improvements include an updated eligibility criteria to ensure that those who are genuinely in need of a disabled bay are protected.

“We hope that this will help many more of our residents who have additional needs.”

In a report to Thursday’s meeting Cllr Mahmood says: “Blackburn with Darwen Council has provided Residential Disabled Parking Bays (RDPBs) since the council became a unitary authority in 1998 and became responsible for the administration of the public roads.

“The provision of RDPBs by the council is a discretionary, rather than mandatory, service

“In 2019, an update was made to the Disabled Bay Policy, introducing restrictions on the number of RDPBs in a street, requiring two RDPBs to be at least 40-metres apart

“The new policy clearly confirms that the bays provided will generally be advisory. This means that the bay is intended for a disabled resident, but it is not legally enforceable through a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

“The introduction of a TRO, which makes a bay enforceable, will be considered in certain circumstances.

“The updated policy clarifies eligibility criteria.

“Being registered as a Blue Badge holder within Blackburn with Darwen has now been included as a clear criterion for eligibility to apply.

“The previous policy included a criterion stating that a RDPB could not be installed within 40 metres of another RDPB.

“This has now been revised to allow for RDPBs to be installed within 40m of each other where this is physically possible, in cases where two eligible individuals live nearby,

“The revised policy seeks to offer greater opportunity for residents to benefit from a RDPB, though an agreed space is unenforceable

“The current cost for a new application is £200, and the remarking of existing bay is £165.

“The fee required to cover the costs will be obtained from applicants and reviewed on an annual basis.”