‘It could be life-saving’: Blue badge holder calls on Government to exempt them from all LTNs

An ex-musician has created a petition calling on the Government to enforce exemptions for blue badge holders or people with life-threatening conditions across all Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) in the UK.

Mike Spenser, 76, of Hamilton Road, West Norwood, started the petition calling for “potentially life-saving” changes after he received a series of penalty charge notice (PCN) fines for mistakenly driving through multiple LTNs.

Mr Spenser, former frontman for rock band The Cannibals, said the fines racked up to a total of almost £1,000 after he struggled to appeal them with Lambeth council.

He claimed the appeal number on his fine went through to a town hall in Manchester and the disabled helpline link went to a blocked page. As a result, Mr Spenser said he has suffered serious mental health problems.

He said: “I’ve put the petition to the Government because councils are all over the place – they just can’t do this.

“LTNs are different everywhere and councils have different policies for blue badge holders, but disability is not a geographical issue. 

“Being left out of policies doesn’t mean we suddenly stop being disabled.”

In Lambeth, where Mr Spenser lives, the council introduced a single LTN exemption per blue badge holder which they need to register for themselves.

There are five permanent LTNs in Lambeth, two currently being trialled, one to go to trial next year and two under consultation, with plans for two more in the future. 

The scheme aims to encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport to tackle the climate emergency through the use of barriers such as bollards and planters, as well as road signs and CCTV cameras.

Mr Spenser said: “I can’t walk and cycle. If you have mobility issues you can’t go to the same places as other people. It’s a discriminatory policy.”

Mr Spenser’s mobility is severely limited, he suffers from arthritis and is in recovery from a hip replacement and a broken back. 

He said: “Exempting disabled people from LTNs would help them get to wherever they need to get to quicker and it could be life-saving.

“If you have asthma and leave your puffer at home, or you’re diabetic and you can feel a shock coming on, you can get fined for getting home the quickest way.”

Supporters of LTNs argue that they improve air quality and reduce the amount of pollution people breathe in.

Mr Spenser said: “I have a lung condition – COPD –  so I understand first hand the pollution problems. We need to clean up the air but we just need a balance.”

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “During the development of LTNs we introduced blue badge exemptions in recognition of need and community feedback.

“The majority of blue badge holders access their home addresses and essential services via a single route, so the one filter dispensation means there is a minimal impact for them from the scheme.

“As people embrace these changes over time, as we have seen in other LTNs, those that have no choice but to drive will be able to do so more easily.”

Mr Spenser’s petition can be found here.

The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Mike Spenser and a low traffic neighbourhood barrier (Picture: Mike Spenser, Jack Fifield/Wikimedia Commons)