Blue Badge backlog

The Western Trust says it's aware that the unit entrusted with issuing the parking permit is facing a backlog.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust says its aware that its Blue Badge Unit is currently dealing with a three month backlog.

The unit is at present working through twelve weeks-worth of applications.

Badge-holders are being encouraged to continue using their existing permits provided their blue badge has an expiry date of after April 1st of 2016 - and they have submitted a re-application form.

"The Western Health and Social Care Trust is aware that the Blue Badge Unit is currently dealing with a 12 week backlog of applications," a statement from the Trust read.

"The Western Trust would like to encourage hospital users across all sites to continue using their existing badge, provided it has an expiry date after 1 April 2016 and you have submitted a re-application form," it added.

"Our staff and contractors have been aware of this and you will not be penalised for using your expired badge," the statement ended.