A 76-year-old veteran with a war disablement pension has blasted tougher guidelines that have led to him losing his blue badge after 15 years.
Laurie Richards, of Cellardyke, has to be assessed for his badge despite having the special pension.
A blue badge is intended to help those unable to visit public buildings, shops and other places unless they can park close to their destination.
Angry Laurie claims he was told by social workers that he is no longer disabled enough to be given a blue badge under the new criteria.
Laurie said: “I haven’t seen the new regulations in detail but blue badge administration say that badges can now only be issued to those who can’t walk, or are virtually unable to walk.
“This means that blue badges will not be issued to anyone who can make it from their front door to their car or make it across the pavement from the disabled parking slot into the shop.”
He says the change is “much too strict.”
He added: “Having held a blue badge for 15 years my renewal was refused, not because I am any better but because the criteria have changed.
“Although I have a 40% war disablement pension I do not get the mobility supplement so I have to be assessed for a badge.”
Laurie served in the RAF from 1953 until 1993 and received a campaign medal after his time in Aden, taking part in the first Gulf War. He also served in Kenya, Rhodesia, Ulster, Germany and the Falklands.
He continued: “My assessment is no longer carried out by doctors but by the social work department, and I have been assessed as not disabled enough.
“They had the cheek to tell me that as I carry a mobility scooter in the back of the car I could park anywhere and use that.
“They recommended that I review my medication with my doctor, ask for physiotherapy, and get a community alarm, which I have already.
“There is no appeal but as a special concession in Fife I may ask for a review.
“Since this is carried out by the same social work department who refused the badge in the first place, I would not be too sanguine about a positive result,” added Mr Richards.
Accessible transport and concession lead professional Anne Cowan said: “There have been significant changes to the blue badge legislation over the last two years, including a more detailed national application form, a change in the qualifying criteria, new mobility assessments and the introduction of a new code of practice for local authorities.
“There’s no statutory right of appeal against the decision but in Fife we will review a decision if the applicant doesn’t agree with it. We’ve recently received a request from Mr Richards to review his application and will investigate this over the next few weeks.”