Wrexham Council upheld its commitment to support Blue Badge holders by completing frequent checks to stop misuse of the badge or illegal parking in designated spaces across National Blue Badge Awareness Week.
The locations of the checks included King Street, Priory Street, Duke Street, Argyle Street, Rhosddu Road, Egerton Street, Regent Street, Library/Waterworld car parks, and Market Street car park, which are all areas known for high blue badge use.
Council enforcement officers investigate Blue Badge misuse to ensure that individuals with disabilities are supported and can park close to their destination either as a passenger or driver.
Over 200 badges were checked with only a small number being found to be used incorrectly. It was noted that genuine badge holders welcomed the approach to tackle misuse.
National Blue Badge Awareness Week 2026
National Blue Badge Awareness Week 2026, which ran from May 11 to May 15, was a coordinated national campaign supporting local authorities to tackle Blue Badge misuse, protect disabled parking access, and collect meaningful enforcement data.
The Blue Badge scheme is essential for badge holders. It gives people independence and allows badge holders the ability to go about their daily lives with dignity.
Our aims for National Blue Badge Awareness Week were:
- To enforce against misuse
- To raise public awareness of the consequences
- To provide support for genuine badge holders
Misuse
Misuse of a Blue Badge is a criminal offence. If you use a Blue Badge dishonestly you are preventing individuals with a disability from being able to park where they need to.
We treat Blue Badge misuse seriously, and it can lead to a £1000 fine.
“Completely unacceptable for people to be abusing the badge system”
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council with the responsibility for parking enforcement, said: “The Blue Badge scheme is there to support people with a disability and it’s completely unacceptable for people to be abusing the badge system. It’s good to know that genuine badge holders were positive about the checks and welcomed them.
“Time and time again we see cars in disabled spaces without a blue badge and it’s unfair on those who genuinely need to park in these spaces. I ask the Public to please ensure the badge scheme is not abused so that those who are entitled to use them are able to go about their daily tasks with independence and dignity.”
Advice on using a Blue Badge correctly is available on the Welsh Government website.
If you suspect a Blue Badge is being misused you can report it to us.
Further information on the Blue Badge scheme is available on our website.
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