Amnesty on blue badges

DRIVERS illegally using blue badges to park can hand them over during an amnesty - but expect strong enforcement action when it finishes.

Stockport Council is giving people chance to give up any disability parking badges that are expired, stolen or forged from March 20 to 31.

After this time there will then be greater enforcement action for any transgressors with parking wardens instructed to give more emphasis to the issue.

During the amnesty anyone found using an expired, forged or stolen blue badge will still be subject to prosecution.

Councillor Sheila Bailey, executive member for communities and housing, said: “During the amnesty there is time for people who have blue badges but for whatever reason haven’t to hand them in.

“The number of people using blue badges wrongly is difficult to assess but we are aware of cases where this happens. It is the abuse of a service available for people who genuinely need it.”