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More than 3 million Blue Badge holders across the UK have been issued a serious warning as new data highlights a major gap between permit holders and the number of available designated parking bays.
According to the latest figures, there are just 63,000 Blue Badge parking spaces available for over 3.2 million holders – meaning around 52 permit holders are competing for each space.
The Blue Badge scheme offers vital parking concessions, allowing eligible individuals to park without charge or time restrictions in otherwise limited areas and on yellow lines for up to three hours (where loading bans don't apply).
The shortage is further strained by a 31% surge in new applications between 2022 and 2024, with 1.3 million new applications and 1.5 million renewals submitted during this period.
Local councils are in charge of managing the Blue Badge system, including application reviews, enforcement, and implementation. To support users in finding available spaces, Confused.com has launched an online tool that helps locate nearby accessible parking anywhere in the UK.
This growing demand underlines the urgent need for expanded infrastructure and stricter enforcement to ensure fair access for disabled drivers.
