A call has been made for urgent reform of the Blue Badge scheme in Wales.
The call was made by Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor, who highlighted the case of a cancer patient in Dwyfor Meirionnydd who was denied a Blue Badge despite being unable to walk long distances.
Mr ap Gwynfor said the current criteria are failing people with serious health conditions.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr ap Gwynfor said: "I have a constituent in Dwyfor Meirionnydd who is suffering prostate cancer, and therefore can't walk long distances.
"It would do a world of good for him to be able to park close to shops so that he can live his life more conveniently.
"But he can't get a blue badge at the moment because of the rules in place that are in the Welsh Government’s hands.
"We need an update on the right for people to have blue badges so that we can fight the case of this gentleman and others who are in a similar situation.
"These rules are failing people who clearly need this support."
Recent figures show there are 274,280 Blue Badge holders in Wales and 2,588 designated Blue Badge parking spaces.
Mr ap Gwynfor is calling on the Welsh Government to urgently review and reform its eligibility criteria.
He said others in Wales are also being left without support by a "system that should be helping them."
Mr ap Gwynfor said: "These rules are failing people who clearly need this support.
"His case is not unique - there are others across Wales living with serious conditions who are being left behind by a system that should be helping them.
"My constituent and many others in similar situations deserve a fair assessment process that recognises the impact of conditions such as cancer on mobility.
"I am asking the Government to act so that we can fight the case of this gentleman and all those who depend on this lifeline to maintain their quality of life."
Share