Is Cornwall Getting Blue Badge Parking Wrong? New Survey Asks Residents

Cornwall Council is asking Blue Badge holders to share their experiences of parking in the Duchy through a new survey on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website.

The survey, available at https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/blue-badges, is open until 12th January 2026.

Why the Council Wants Feedback

Around 36,000 people living in Cornwall have a Blue Badge. The badges are issued to people with certain disabilities and allow them to park closer to shops and services, whether they are driving or travelling as a passenger.

Cornwall Council says it wants a clearer picture of how well the scheme is working for residents and for people who visit Cornwall. The survey can be completed by badge holders themselves, as well as carers, relatives or anyone who travels with a Blue Badge holder.

Participants are asked about their understanding of the rules on where badge holders are permitted to park and to share their own experiences when using disabled parking in Cornwall.

Concern Over Misuse

The British Parking Association has reported a sharp rise in Blue Badge misuse in recent years. Their figures, shared at https://www.britishparking-media.co.uk/news/time-to-stand-up-against-blue-badge-fraud-and-abuse, show that misuse can undermine the scheme and make daily life harder for people who rely on it.

Responses to the survey will be anonymous. The Council says the findings will help identify what extra support could be provided for people who use the scheme correctly.

What the Council Says

Councillor Thalia Marrington, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “A Blue Badge can be a real lifeline for people with a disability and can make such a big difference to their day-to-day life.

“We want to make sure that Blue Badge holders have a clear understanding of where and when they can park and don’t get caught out with a parking fine.

“The feedback from this survey will help us identify what additional support we can provide to make sure all eligible Blue Badge holders are benefitting from the scheme.”

The survey is live now on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website and remains open until 12th January 2026.