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Protecting the Blue Badge Scheme.
Improving Accessible Parking. Shaping the Future.
The UK's dedicated conference for everyone involved in the Blue Badge Scheme and accessible parking
The Blue Badge & Accessible Parking Conference will bring together local authorities, policymakers, disability organisations, parking professionals and industry leaders to explore the future of the Blue Badge Scheme and the role of accessible parking in creating inclusive communities.
As demand for Blue Badges continues to grow, councils face increasing challenges around administration, enforcement, fraud, accessibility, kerbside management and evolving transport policy. At the same time, changing travel habits, electric vehicles and competing demands for parking spaces are reshaping how accessible parking is planned and managed.
This one-day conference provides a unique opportunity to hear from those leading policy, delivering services, protecting the integrity of the scheme and representing the interests of disabled motorists.
Featuring keynote presentations, practical case studies, panel discussions and interactive debate, the conference will provide delegates with practical ideas, valuable insights and opportunities to network with peers from across the UK.
Why this event matters
The Blue Badge Scheme enables millions of disabled people to travel independently and participate fully in everyday life. Protecting the integrity of the scheme while ensuring it remains accessible, fair and fit for the future has never been more important.
Local authorities are managing record numbers of Blue Badge applications, responding to changing eligibility, tackling organised misuse and adapting to new challenges including electric vehicle charging, competing demands for kerbside space and digital transformation.
The Blue Badge & Accessible Parking Conference has been created to provide a national forum where practitioners, policymakers and stakeholders can share best practice, debate emerging issues and help shape the future of accessible parking.
Key themes:
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Delivering an excellent Blue Badge service
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Managing increasing demand and applications
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Blue Badge fraud and misuse
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Compliance, investigations and prosecutions
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Supporting Civil Enforcement Officers
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Alternatives to prosecution and behaviour change
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Digital Blue Badges and future technology
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Tackling Blue Badge theft
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Accessible EV charging
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Competing demands for accessible parking, EV charging and other priority bays
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Designing inclusive parking and places
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Working in partnership across local authorities
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Sharing best practice from across the UK
Who should attend?
The conference is designed for professionals responsible for delivering, managing and supporting the Blue Badge Scheme, including:
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Parking Managers
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Blue Badge Teams
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Parking Services Managers
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Civil Enforcement Managers
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Compliance and Fraud Officers
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Blue Badge Administrators
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Highways and Transport Officers
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Accessibility and Equalities Officers
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Customer Services Managers
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Local Authority Legal Teams
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Policy Makers
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Disability Organisations
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Consultants
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Parking Technology Providers
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Enforcement Providers
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Parking Operators
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Retail and Healthcare Parking Managers
Why attend?
By attending the Blue Badge & Accessible Parking Conference you will:
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Hear the latest thinking from national policymakers and sector leaders
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Learn practical approaches to improving Blue Badge administration
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Discover effective strategies for tackling misuse and protecting the integrity of the scheme
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Explore the future of digital Blue Badges and accessible parking
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Share experience with colleagues from across the UK
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Build valuable professional networks
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Take away practical ideas that can be implemented within your own organisation
Delegate rates
Programme
09.15
Registration
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
10.00
Session 1: Protecting the Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme is central to enabling independent mobility for millions of disabled people, yet it faces growing pressures from increasing demand, changing travel patterns and competing demands for parking space. This opening session brings together policymakers, practitioners and disability advocates to explore the national picture, the challenges ahead and how we can ensure the scheme continues to deliver for those who rely on it most.
Themes:
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National priorities
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Independent mobility
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Growing demand
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Why the Scheme matters
Chair and welcome
Tom Gallagher, Head of Parking, Ealing Council
Opening Address: Making the Blue Badge Scheme work for disabled people
Speaker TBC
What it's like to be a blue badge holder
Dr Vera Kubenz, PhD Student, University of Birmingham
Government priorities for the Blue Badge Scheme
Matthew Eglington, Head of Blue Badge Policy, Department for Transport (invited)
How much accessible parking is enough?
Graham James, Technical Director, Parking Perspectives
Warwick Vogt, Senior Network Operations Manager, Government of Jersey
Panel discussion:
Protecting the integrity of the Scheme while improving accessibility
Discussion points
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How is demand for Blue Badges changing?
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Is accessible parking keeping pace with demand?
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How can we maintain public confidence in the scheme?
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What are the biggest policy challenges over the next five years?
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What should government, local authorities and the parking sector prioritise?
11.15
Networking break
Tea & coffee served in the exhibition area
11.45
Session 2: Delivering an Excellent Blue Badge Service
What does a modern, customer-focused Blue Badge service look like? As applications continue to rise and expectations evolve, local authorities are embracing new technologies, improving customer experience and sharing best practice. This session explores how organisations can deliver efficient, consistent and accessible services while maintaining confidence in the scheme.
Themes:
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Customer experience
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Administration
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Technology
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Best practice
Chair: Steven Foster, President of the British Parking Association, Parking Team Manager at Newcastle City Council
Delivering a first class Blue Badge service
Marcus Dalby, Blue Badge Manager, Derby City Council & Alan Wood, Operations Manager, Derby City Council
Digi-Badge and innovation
Richard Boultbee, Chief Operating Officer, National Blue Badge
Panel Discussion:
Blue Badges on Private Land – Is it time for Greater Consistency?
Discussion points
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How do we prevent misuse without creating additional barriers for disabled people?
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Should the Blue Badge be recognised more consistently on private land?
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How can we ensure a customer-first approach for Blue Badge users?
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What causes confusion or difficulty for disabled people when parking at different destinations?
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What can organisations do to make accessible parking easier to understand and use?
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Is there a role for greater consistency in how accessibility needs are recognised across different locations?
Chair: Chris Naylor, The IPC
Panellists include:
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Mark Briggs, Director of Partnerships, Nimbus Disability
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Charmaine Sweeney, Head of Landside Operations, Stansted Airport
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Anjna Patel MBE, Trustee, Disabled Motoring UK
Further panellists to be confirmed
13.00
Lunch and networking break
Refreshments served in the exhibition area
14.15
Session 3: Protecting the integrity of the Scheme
Public confidence in the Blue Badge Scheme depends on ensuring badges are used appropriately. From intelligence gathering and investigations to successful prosecutions and education, this session examines the practical tools available to tackle misuse and fraud, helping authorities protect the scheme while supporting genuine badge holders.
Themes:
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Fraud
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Investigations
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Intelligence
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Education
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Enforcement
Chair: Jon Allan, Head of Learning, Innovation and Research, British Parking Association
Who are the Blue Badge abusers?
Marcus Hall, Fraud and Compliance Officer, Nottingham City Council
Inside a Blue Badge investigation and prosecution
Stephen Goodall, Senior Criminal Investigations Officer, Portsmouth City Council
Blue Badge Misuse: Awareness Courses
Richard Boultbee, Consultant, National Blue Badge
Raising Standards in Blue Badge Compliance
Zoe Hall, Learning and Development Manager, Parking Associates
Slido, Votes & Panel Discussion:
How should authorities tackle misuse?
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When should authorities prosecute?
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Education or enforcement – which changes behaviour most effectively?
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How can intelligence be shared more effectively?
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What are the biggest barriers to successful investigations?
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How can we protect genuine badge holders while tackling abuse?
16.00
Networking drinks reception
Refreshments served in the exhibition area
17.00
Conference close
Speakers
Speakers will appear here once confirmed
Jon Allan
Head of Learning,
Innovation and Research
British Parking Association
Marcus Hall
Compliance & Fraud Officer
Nottingham City Council
Chris Naylor
Head of Membership
and Relations
The IPC
Warwick Vogt
Senior Network
Operations Manager
Government of Jersey
Mark Briggs
Director of Partnerships
Nimbus Disability
Anjna Patel MBE
Trustee
Disabled Motoring UK
Stephen Goodall
Senior Criminal Investigations Officer
Portsmouth City Council
Graham James
Technical Director
Parking Perspectives
Steven Foster
President
British Parking Association
Parking Team Manager
Newcastle City Council
Charmaine Sweeney
Head of Landside Operations
Stansted Airport
Richard Boultbee
Consultant
National Blue Badge
Tom Gallagher
Head of Parking
London Borough of Ealing
Dr Vera Kubenz
PhD Student
University of Birmingham
Alan Wood
Operations Manager
Derby City Council
Zoe Hall
Learning and Development Manager
Parking Associates
Exhibition & Partnership Opportunities
A limited number of exhibition and partnership packages are available for organisations wishing to showcase products, services and expertise to senior decision-makers responsible for accessible parking, Blue Badge administration and enforcement.
With just five exhibition spaces available, this is an exclusive opportunity to engage directly with local authorities, policymakers, disability organisations and industry leaders in a focused and highly targeted environment.
