The chairman of Age Concern Newark is concerned about Nottinghamshire County Council’s decision to move Blue Badge forms online

Campaigners fear non tech-savvy residents are at risk of being left behind by a council’s decision to move a key service fully online.

Nottinghamshire County Council has recently moved its blue badge service solely online — arguing that the paper system was found to cause delays and issues.

The chairman of Age Concern Newark, Pip Apps, was not satisfied with the council’s decision and said that most people who apply for a blue badge are “elderly and not tech-savvy”.

Blue badges help people with severe mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible disabilities to park closer to their destination.

Pip said someone called him the other day saying to be terrified of filling out the online form because they didn’t understand how it works and thought the system was very difficult to navigate.

“This is unfair because it excludes people who are not tech-savvy. It is very convenient for the county council but, I mean, they still have to read through the answers and it is much easier to read it and write it on paper,” he added.

He said the council made the same decision about five years ago. However, Pip worked with county councillor Keith Walker to force a u-turn, with paper forms reinstated.

Pip added that someone called him at the time saying they didn’t have a computer so there was no way they could fill in the online form.

“I just can’t understand. They must have masses of things that they can do online but I don’t think this should be one of them.”

Nottinghamshire County Council said the vast majority of people now chose to handle applications online - suggesting the figure is 96%.

A spokesman for the county council said: “We fully appreciate that some people are more comfortable with a paper form, but we would stress anyone can apply online. This includes a friend, relative or professional supporting a person who cannot apply online themselves.

“Those without internet access can use a computer at their local library at no cost and people needing more support can contact our customer service team to be referred to our community support service, Connect. They will arrange to visit the person and complete the online application with them in their home.”

The council said it would listen to any feedback about the blue badge scheme — and that it would review its services to ensure it was delivering good value for money.

What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments below…