An 83-year-old pensioner has been denied a blue badge parking permit despite suffering from a debilitating condition which leaves him with a “dead leg”.
Derek Gibson, from Burgh St Peter in Norfolk, has held a blue badge for nine years without issue.
However, the elderly man has now found himself caught in a bureaucratic tangle between two county councils.
His current permit expires at the end of March, leaving him and his wife of 62 years deeply concerned about accessing essential services.
Gibson was denied a blue badge parking permit – despite suffering from a debilitating condition which leaves him with a ‘dead leg’
PA
Gibson suffers from diabetic muscular neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves in his body.
He was diagnosed in 2016, and the condition has severely limited his mobility.
“In other words, this leg from hip to knee is dead – I will never be able to get full use of it back,” he explained – and said his pain was “quite incredible”.
Gibson relies on a mobility scooter when necessary, and says he can “hardly walk” without assistance.
For nearly a decade, his blue badge was issued by Suffolk County Council, but when renewal time came, he was told to apply to Norfolk County Council instead – which promptly rejected his application.
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Gibson, from picturesque Burgh St Peter in Norfolk (pictured), held a blue badge for nine years without issue
In their letter, the council said there was not “enough medical evidence” to demonstrate the level of walking difficulty described in his application.
The pensioner must now provide an additional doctor’s letter before the council will review his case.
“It’s very worrying,” Mrs Gibson said about the impending expiry of their current badge.
But her husband was more direct, calling the situation “ridiculous”.
The couple, who have lived in their village for 40 years, are determined to challenge the decision.
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“We are not going to give up,” Mr Gibson insisted. “If they still say no with a doctor’s letter, we will take it further.”
“If I can’t park near somewhere in a parking space with blue badge, I am going to be a bit stuck.
“We need availability as close as possible to the essential services.”
GB News has approached Norfolk County Council for comment.
