Littlehampton family’s fury at blue badge blow

THE family of a 93-year-old in Littlehampton have been left outraged when his disabled parking badge was revoked this month – despite having previously had one for three years.

Great-grandfather Ken Young lives alone at his home in Furzedown.

He says that he struggles to walk long distances and is forced to use a walking stick to help combat against mild arthritis in his knees.

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Ken claimed he had been using a blue badge since moving down to the area, more than three years ago.

However, following a series of tests conducted earlier this year, by West Sussex County Council, a decision was made to revoke his blue badge status – one that has left Ken’s son, Leslie, furious.

Cruel

The 61-year-old said: “Why give it to him in the first place, if you’re simply going to take it I? I just can’t understand that.

“It just seems so cruel. It can’t be because he is getting fitter – because he really isn’t.

“Dad struggles to walk any real distance.

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“He has to slow down after about 50 feet or so. We only use the blue badge so we can park right next to Iceland, so he doesn’t have to walk so far.

“But this decision to take away the badge is ridiculous. It’s going to have a massive impact on the quality of dad’s life.”

Ken, who moved down from London to be closer to his son, said that he felt cheated by the county council’s decision to strip him of his much-loved badge.

He said that, because of his age and current condition, he needed more space to get in and out of his son’s car – space that is more than ample in disabled parking spots in the area.

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“It’s alright for them sitting behind their desk. But this is a huge blow for me,” he said.

Eligible

In a letter, sent to Ken, the county council explains why he was not eligible for the scheme.

It says that applicants need to show that their ability to walk is affected to such an extent that they would be unable to access goods and services, unless allowed to park closer to the building.

It continues, saying: “Mr Young is remarkably fit for his age and although walking is slow and he reports pain in his knees, he only takes low-level painkillers twice a day.

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“Mr Young does not demonstrate any ‘permanent and substantial disability that causes an inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking’.

It adds: “Age in itself is not a qualifying factor.”

Leslie, who lives in Bognor, has now sent a letter to Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb, in an attempt to see if the decision can be reversed.