Why all the blue badge refusals?

• IF you live in the borough of Haringey and have a blue badge you will now have been granted the “concession” of being allowed to drive through an LTN, low traffic neighbourhood, without paying a fine.

If you live in the borough of Camden you will find it difficult even to get a blue badge.

Since April 2022 some 1,389 people have been refused a new badge or its renewal, by officers, 26 per cent of the total 5,374 applicants.

Apparently there is no independent appeal process. What are the reasons for the refusals? Are there rogue officers whose refusal rate is higher than the average?

In my case I asked for an officer to visit me at home to help me with my application but was told by the head of service that such a visit would constitute a health and safety risk.

I asked for the evidence but got no response. But even if I had a blue badge Camden does not allow you to go into LTNs. Repeated requests have been ignored. This concession would greatly improve the lives and independence of those of us with mobility problems and our carers.

Fortunately thanks to Cllr Larraine Revah, the chair of the council’s disability oversight panel, and a senior manager responsibility for concessionary transport who did visit me, they have agreed to take a root and branch review of the system.

My experience indicates that if you struggle hard enough and gain the assistance of councillors, you can bring about changes and stop discrimination.

We wait, of course, to see the results.

MICK FARRANT, NW5