Councillor's plea to end abuse of parking lifeline

MISUSE OF DISABLED BAYS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE

- By KRISTY MCCRUM

Cllr David Coupe is urging drivers to respect disabled parking bays

A MIDDLESBROUGH councillor has slammed the abuse of disabled parking bays, saying the 'unacceptable' practice must stop.

Councillor David Coupe is renewing a previous call to able-bodied motorists to obey the law.

The Blue Badge scheme provides parking for people with disabilities who travel as either drivers or passengers, enabling them to park nearer to where they need to go than a standard parking space might.

Councillor Coupe is bringing personal experience to his campaign, and appealing for people to show respect to those in need.

His campaign comes as a BBC investigation revealed that Blue Badges are being faked, doctored, stolen and sold online, with local authorities limited in the action they are able to take due to dwindling resources.