Motorist in blue badge parking con fined

Allison Coupland of Droppingwell Farm Close in Kimberworth, Rotherham, was ordered to pay a £75 fine as well as £50 costs and a £15 victim surcharge by Rotherham magistrates after pleading guilty by post.

Coupland, 54, admitted using her mother’s blue badge to park her car in a designated disabled parking bay in the car park off Corporation Street in Rotherham, even though her mother was not present at the time.

Rotherham Council’s parking services manager, Martin Beard, said: “I am delighted with this result.

“This is further evidence of our commitment to stamping out this crime, which causes significant disadvantage to people with genuine needs.”

Meanwhile, a county-wide scheme launched by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) has been encouraging motorists to leave their cars at home altogether.

Among those to take advantage of the initiative have been staff at the UK Border Agency in Sheffield.

Car drivers were invited to take part in a trial, where they were given free use of public transport for up to four weeks for their journeys to and from work.

Of the 44 employees who completed the scheme, more than 70 per cent have now decided to stop using their cars for work.

SYPTE’s director of customer experience, David Young, said: “The scheme is a fantastic way of breaking down barriers to people using public transport and showing people they have other options than their car, by engaging with businesses to promote the options available.

“We’re delighted the scheme has been so well received and look forward to working with other organisations.”