A disabled driver from Bexley has waged war on blue badge abusers, urging the borough's traffic wardens to clamp down on rogue drivers.

Bexleyheath resident Doug Somerset relies on his blue badge and the availability of disabled parking bays to leave his house because of severe athritis and spinal problems.

In recent months the 63-year-old has noticed what he described as an "epidemic" of people abusing the system.

Mr Somerset said: "With the blue badge scheme there's always been a problem with abusers of it. The situation is becoming absolutely intolerable.

"I have been in touch with Bexley council but it's impossible to speak to anyone about this matter."

The retired engineer has even had people parked in the disabled parking bay outside his own home in Ethronvi Road.

He said: "I have got a bay outside my house and the [amount of] times someones parked in that. I would never dream of parking in someone elses parking bay outside their house."

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Doug Somerset is fed up with people abusing the Blue Badge system.

The worsening situation has put Mr Somerset off from leaving his home because he faces waiting for up to hour to find a disabled bay.

He said: "I want to see the law enforced so that people who are disadvantaged can go out.

"The car to me is a lifeline, it's not a luxury. There's no point in me having a car if I can't park it."

A spokeswoman for Bexley Council said the local authority has issued more than 700 penalty charges to motorists who incorrectly parked in disabled bays in the last year.

She said: “Civil enforcement officers are required to check badges for potential misuse and have the power to confiscate them if they suspect they are being misused. Where there is sufficient evidence, we will always take action to prosecute.

“The eligibility and issuing of Blue Badges is a national standard that we strictly adhere to. It is not always apparent simply by looking at someone if they are entitled to a badge or not.”

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