Swansea ranks among UK’s worst for Blue Badge parking misuse, new data shows

New data released by mobility specialists CareCo reveals the scale of illegal parking in disabled bays, with Swansea responsible for 7.1% of all UK misuse cases in 2024. That places the city sixth nationally, ahead of major urban areas including Westminster, Bristol and Glasgow.

Only a handful of the UK’s largest cities — including Birmingham, Bournemouth, London and Cardiff — recorded higher levels of misuse.

The figures come from freedom of information responses submitted to more than 400 councils, and highlight how often disabled parking bays are being used illegally — leaving Blue Badge holders, elderly residents and people with limited mobility struggling to access essential services.

Across the UK, more than 45,000 penalty charge notices were issued last year for vehicles parked in accessible bays without the required permit — an average of 123 incidents every day.

With fines ranging from £70 to £130, the data suggests drivers misusing disabled bays paid more than £3.16 million in penalties in 2024.

William Harrison, founder of CareCo, said:

Accessible parking bays are a vital resource. When they are unavailable, those who need them most can be prevented from attending appointments, visiting shops, or living with their own vital independence. This high demand is under increased pressure from both misuse and lack of availability.

Swansea Council was among the authorities that responded to the FOI request, contributing to the national dataset. The figures show Swansea’s rate of misuse is higher than several larger UK cities, raising questions about enforcement, demand and the availability of accessible bays across the city.

In a statement to Swansea Bay News, a spokesperson from Swansea Council said:

“Accessible parking provision is vital for motorists who have limited mobility and rely on being able to park their vehicle near to local amenities.

“We do all we can to ensure these parking spaces are used properly and our parking enforcement team will continue to issue PCNs to motorists that are not permitted to use them.”

CareCo, which says it supports more than 2.8 million Blue Badge holders through its mobility advice and products, says it hopes the findings will spark a wider conversation about accessibility and independence.

I'm attending.

Gorge #FloodAdaptation for Sea Level Rise #CommunityWorkshop By City of Victoria
Have your say on the future of the #GorgeWaterway and #PortageInlet.

Thursday, September 25 · 2 - 4pm PDT.
Doors at 1:45pm.
Esquimalt Gorge Park & Pavilion
1070 Tillicum Rd.

Join us at this workshop to learn more about sea level rise in the Gorge and Portage Inlet and to share your knowledge, experience and values to help guide #SeaLevelRise planning for the area. A presentation will be followed by a #facilitated discussion that will help inform adaptation options to address sea level rise.

The workshop will cover the following topics:

Introduction to the Gorge Coastal #Flood Adaptation Strategy.
Sea level rise projections, including areas, #ecosystems and #infrastructure at risk in the Gorge
Possible #coastal adaptation approaches
Examples of coastal resilience initiatives along the Gorge
Activities to explore values informing future coastal planning

The feedback we receive will inform the Gorge Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy, a collaboration between by the Township of #Esquimalt , the District of #Saanich , the City of #VictoriaBC and the Town of #ViewRoyal with support from the #CapitalRegionalDistrict.

Refreshments will be provided.

Registration is required. If we reach capacity for the event, we will take a waitlist and may add an additional event.

For other ways to provide input, please complete the online survey and identify places that are important to you or where you have experienced flooding on our interactive map at engage.victoria.ca/gorge-flooding.

Accessibility and Parking:

#FreeChildcare will be provided on-site for the duration of the event.

#FreeParking is available at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion, including 10 #AccessibleParking stalls and four electric vehicle chargers.

Accessible by bus routes 14 and 26 and a short walk from routes 8, 9 and 11.

A bike rack is available.

For more details on accessibility, visit this page:
https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/accessibility-inventory

Please contact us with any questions or requests for accessibility accommodations at [email protected].

#CommunityEngagement #CommunityEducation #CommunityPlanning #CommunityInput #YYJ #Wsanec #Songhees #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Flooding #FloodStrategies #CommunityVoices #ProvideYourFeedback #GetInvolved #CommunitySurvey