Should more people be given the Blue Badge?

IT’S good to see that more disabled parking permits (Mail) are going to be issued, but will local authorities make more spaces available? It is already almost impossible to find an available disabled parking bay. CHARLES wEBLEY, Rochester, Kent. I APPLIED for a Blue Badge because, at the age of 85, I suffer shortage of breath and have difficulty in walking any distance, especially on inclines. I went for an assessment, which was carried out by a young man who was not a doctor. He tested my reflexes and legs and then took me for a walk of about 100 yards on an incline, during which I had to stop a couple of times to compose myself. I was turned down. Name supplied, Tollesbury, Essex. THE abuse and misuse of Blue Badges is so bad that some councils have special wardens to catch the perpetrators. Relaxing the rules to extend the scheme to the carers of those with ‘invisible disabilities’ such as autism and dementia will only increase the problem. DAViD wALKER, Barrowford, Lancs. DISABLED parking bays should be for people like me who can’t get into a car unless the door is wide open. It is impossible for me to park in an ordinary space. There are not enough disabled bays available now, so what will happen when a million more Blue Badges are issued? A free parking permit could be given to those who can park in normal bays, but need to be near facilities. ANN ROBiNSON, Maidstone, Kent. MY GRANDSON had a Blue Badge for more than ten years, but the council has withdrawn it. He does not have mobility issues, but he is autistic. He has no sense of danger, can’t cross roads on his own or use public transport because of communication problems. He has to be supervised at all times, so that’s why his carer needs a Blue Badge. J. LANE, Bebington, wirral.