New data reveals that disabled parking regulations in Herefordshire have been violated more than 6,000 times between 2019 and 2024. A Freedom of Information request submitted to Herefordshire Council showed that 5,374 fines were issued for misuse of on-street disabled “Blue Badge” parking, along with 1,038 fines for violations in off-street disabled parking bays.
The number of fines remained consistent year after year, averaging over 20 penalties weekly. Hereford’s Broad Street was the hotspot for breaches, accounting for 2,085 violations — nearly 40% of the total for the entire county.
Union Street, also in central Hereford, ranked second with 1,411 violations, making up over 25% of all fines during this period. Other streets with high numbers of offences included the Homend in Ledbury (435), St Peter’s Square in Hereford (409), and Offa Street in Hereford (360).
READ MORE: Countryfile’s Adam Henson Receives Cheeky Warning While Picking Strawberries on Family Farm
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson Criticizes Decline of Manners in Britain, Calling Out ‘Braying Yobbos’
Regarding off-street car parks, the Garrick Multi-Storey in Hereford topped the list with 291 Blue Badge parking offences, almost a third of all parking fines issued for misuse on private car parks. Following closely were Maylord Orchards car park, The Maltings car park in Ross-on-Wye, St Katherine’s car park in Ledbury, and the Central Area car park in Leominster.
Ellie Walker, a Hereford local and Blue Badge holder, expressed little surprise at the figures for Broad Street and Union Street, saying these places often have the most traffic wardens monitoring parking. However, she admitted to unintentionally breaking the rules early on when using her Blue Badge, unaware that a parking clock must also be displayed.
“I was told by the warden that if I explained my situation the ticket might be cancelled, but unfortunately, that never happened,” she said.
Herefordshire Council manages the Blue Badge scheme for residents with visible and hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions. The council emphasizes that misuse of Blue Badges is taken very seriously, with many offenders prosecuted. Offenders not only face fines but also the possibility of receiving a criminal record.
Anyone suspecting fraudulent use of a Blue Badge can report it by calling 01432 260974 or emailing [email protected].