Changes to Blue Badge system following questions from Eltham Councillor

By | March 27, 2018

Greenwich Council have announced changes to the system for awarding Blue Badges following public questions by Eltham Conservative Councillor Spencer Drury.  The changes reflect concerns being raised about the switch to online only applications being expressed by many residents and introduce some face to face help for those trying to fill the forms in.

There were concerns expressed by residents to Councillors and in Facebook groups over recent months, focused on Greenwich Council’s insistence that the vast majority of Blue Badge assessments should take place in Woolwich, delays in receiving the blue badge and the unhelpful online system for application.  Spencer questioned the Cabinet Member Cllr David Gardner at the October 2017 (Members Questions #14) and December 2017 (Members Questions #11) meetings specifically raising the difficulties facing Eltham residents in applying for their Blue Badges and getting an assessment.

Spencer, who had raised many concerns on behalf of Eltham residents said: “I received many complaints about how hard it was to fill in Blue Badge applications online and the need for Eltham residents to travel to Woolwich for an assessment.  Previously the vast majority of assessments and all applications were taking place in Woolwich, meaning Eltham’s Blue Badge applicants (who had limited mobility) had to drive to Woolwich, find somewhere to park, go the Woolwich Centre and then get to an upstairs Office.  So I am really pleased that the Labour Cabinet member has acknowledged the points I raised in Council and email to make it easier for Eltham residents to get their Blue Badge applications processed.  The spreading of this application process across the whole Borough helps all Greenwich residents and I am pleased the pressure we applied has paid off.”

You can see the details of the scheme on the Council website at:  http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/news/article/1195/get_help_applying_for_a_blue_badge_in_royal_greenwich.

Category: Uncategorized

About Spencer Drury

Spencer was one of the three Councillors for Eltham North Ward between 2002 and 2022. He lost his Council seat in the May 2022 elections and now occasionally contributes to debates on local issues.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *