Blue badge owners warned of parking mayhem at major UK airports this summer
Recent statistics from the Government show there are now over 2.5m people in the UK who have a blue badge on their car.
Blue badge holders could face fines if they park incorrectly at some of the UK's airports this summer.
In a statement, Heathrow Airport said: “The blue badge scheme operates in all car parks. If you wish to park in a blue badge space but take your badge with you, please show your badge to the car park operator. via the help point or the car park entry machine.
“For security reasons, the blue badge scheme does not operate on roads around Heathrow - unattended vehicles are liable to be towed away by the police.”
Gatwick Airport is an example of where restrictions apply. They explained: “If you are a blue badge holder being dropped off at the airport by friends or by taxi you are exempt from drop-off charges, as long as you register your number plate in advance.
"The blue badge exemption is valid for a 30-minute free drop-off session, up to three hours of your chosen start time. You are not permitted to leave your vehicle unattended on the Drop-Off Terminal Forecourts.”
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Further north, at Glasgow Airport, drivers with a blue Badge will be subject to the standard charges in the pick up and drop off area.
They explained: “You will be entitled to 30 minutes free in the short stay car park one/Car park 2. Simply quote your blue badge number when you buzz the intercom on the exit of car park 1 or car park 2.”
Just like its slightly bigger rivals, Stansted Airport also accommodates blue badge parking. The airport said parking charges applied and that help point button facilities were located at the entrance and exit barriers.
According to recent government statistics around one in 22 people in England have a blue badge with 2.57m on the road at the end of March 2023.
Blue badge holders have been warned to check the parking rules at major UK airports before they travel this summer.
While blue badge holders are entitled to free parking in some parts of the country, restrictions can apply at airports and vary from terminal to terminal.
Failure to comply with these rules could see the motorist fined or their car towed away by the authorities.
The latest warnings come as Heathrow Airport revealed that the blue badge scheme doesn’t operate on some of the roads around the airport for security reasons.
