A crackdown has been launched against selfish drivers who are abusing the Blue Badge system to park in disabled bays.

Brentwood Borough Council is taking action following problems authenticating some Blue Badges which have been used continually at council car parks, but are believed to be displayed by drivers not entitled to use them.

Working closely with Brentwood Access Group steps have been put in place to limit all day free parking by Blue Badge holders to three hours in all council car parks. It is hoped that this will free up and better rotate parking spaces for disabled people.

Chairman of Brentwood Access Group Sue Higgins said: “We work closely with Brentwood Borough Council on mobility matters and we are well aware that there are some unscrupulous people using Blue Badges to park that are not entitled to benefit from them. This type of action obviously prevents those who are legitimately attempting to use their Blue Badges from parking in designated disabled spaces.

"It’s a mystery to me why a few people want to abuse a Blue Badge - perhaps they would like to take on our disabilities as well. We know this abuse happens a lot and makes life that much more difficult for those who are already having to cope with more than most people in everyday life.”

Blue Badges have serial numbers that can be checked to reveal the sex and age of the blue badge holder. This in turn can reveal whether or not the badge is being used legitimately. However, once a vehicle is parked and the driver has left it can be difficult to prove misuse.

Brentwood Borough Council is carrying out improvements to the disabled car park in William Hunter Way with an additional bay to be provided in Hunter Avenue and two extra spaces in Market Square, Ingatestone.

Chair of the Police, Finance and Resources Committee Leader, Cllr Louise McKinlay added: “The changes will benefit the legitimate Blue Badge holders and has the backing of the Brentwood Access Group. Those who use other people's badges either to go shopping or to park all day, ahead of commuting by train, are abusing the system and this is simply wrong. I hope the changes will help the people who need it."

Brentwood Access Group supports the move to crack down on the cheats and advises all Blue Badge to display their Time Cards as well as the badge in all car parks in the borough.