Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers (a) local authorities and (b) the police have to enforce proper use of designated disabled parking spaces on public highways.

Where a parking contravention has occurred in respect of a designated disabled parking space, local authorities that have taken on civil enforcement powers may issue a penalty charge under powers contained in the Traffic Management Act 2004. In areas still subject to police enforcement, traffic wardens may issue fixed penalties.

If the contravention involves the misuse of a ‘Blue Badge’, which is a criminal offence, either a local authority or the police may prosecute the offender under section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.