Bristol resident Roz Hutchings has called on Bristol City Council to consider making permanent exemptions for Blue Badge holders who have to drive into the city centre. It comes after she was charged for failing to apply for a Blue Badge exemption within a day of travelling when she was driving her sister, who has cancer, into Bristol city centre.
But the council said temporary exemptions for Blue Badge holders could not be extended as it would impact the city’s ability to reduce air pollution to legal limits in the shortest possible time as set by national government. Ms Hutchings said her request for permanent exemption for Blue Badge holders has come as a result of her recent charge, which she has since paid.
“I had taken my sister into town and when I tried to activate the Blue Badge exemption a few days later, it would not allow me to do that,” she said. Contacting the council, she was told Blue Badge holders have to activate an exemption by midnight on the same day of travel.
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“Non-exempt drivers are given six days to pay a fine and I think it is discriminatory towards Blue Badge holders who are not given additional time to activate an exemption. What is going to happen to disabled drivers come the end of March, we need some kindness from the council to extend Blue Badge exemptions or to make them permanent,” she said.
Ms Hutchings added: “My sister is 38, a disability can affect anyone at any point in time and I just want the same rules and system for everybody." She highlighted that many Blue Badge holders have vehicles which have been adapted for specific disabilities. “It’s not as simple as getting a new car, with a limited income you need to have a special car and it’s a waste of resources to have to change it,” she said.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “Around 80 per cent of drivers’ vehicles already meet the Clean Air Zone’s requirements and don’t need to pay a charge. We secured a £42 million funding package from the government, much more than other cities which have implemented Clean Air Zones, to support people and businesses who are affected.
“Blue Badge holders on a lower income are eligible to apply for funding to upgrade their vehicle to one that won’t be charged. Bristol is already offering more exemptions for blue badge holders than any other city with a Clean Air Zone.
“The exemption period was extended until the end of March 2023 to allow more time to prepare for the changes. Blue Badge holders in Bristol are eligible for this exemption which includes journeys made in a vehicle they don't own.
"Clean Air Zone payments are taken by a national system run by the government. However, temporary exemptions are processed locally, and we are unable to give an exemption retrospectively.
“This applies for all local temporary exemptions,” said the spokesperson, adding that when Blue Badge holders apply for an exemption, it is made clear that they must activate their daily pass in advance or on the day of travel.
Commenting on extending the March deadline, the council spokesperson said: “We are unable to extend the temporary exemption period even further as this would affect how quickly Bristol meets the legal direction from government to reduce air pollution to legal limits in the shortest possible time. We have a moral and legal duty to deliver clean air in Bristol.
“Poor air quality has a major impact on the health of everyone in the city and disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable people. The Clean Air Zone will help us tackle this issue and enable us to meet legal limits for air quality within the shortest time possible,” said the council spokesperson.
Exemption holders who forget to activate their pass, can contact 0117 903 6385 for advice.
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