Thank you for your reply and guidance
-I wrote the following and just changed the facts for the second PCN,
On 26th February, I was specifically asked by my son’s school to accompany him on a school trip due to his additional needs and recent episodes of dysregulation. He is a blue badge holder. I have provided a copy of the school’s email request as evidence. Normally, my son goes to school by a transport provided by Barking and Dagenham Council. However, I am not permitted to travel with him on this transport so the only way I could comply with the school’s request was to drive him myself.
In the notice of rejection, Barking and Dagenham stated that “Blue Badge holders or those carrying a Blue Badge holder as a passenger are not permitted to drive in this area during the hours of operation.” However, upon reviewing the School Street policies on the Barking and Dagenham Council website, I discovered that Blue Badge holders can, in fact, apply for an exemption under Exemption Four – Blue Badge Holders. This exemption allows access to the school for drop-off or collection during operational hours, provided an application is made (as outlined at
https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/school- streets/school-street-exemptions and in the Exemption Policy document at
https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023- 08/10082023_Exemption%20Policy%20update_website.pdf).
When the restrictions were first introduced, I emailed the council my concerns. I didn’t know there were exemptions and at the time of the incident, I was unaware that such an exemption needed to be formally applied for in advance. I have ended up with 2 PCN as a result. I deeply regret this oversight and have since submitted an application for the exemption, which is currently awaiting a decision from the council. I do not normally drive to the school—Barking and Dagenham provide transport for my son—but on this occasion, it was unavoidable due to the nature of the event and his specific needs.
-I also attached a copy of the exemption approval email.
Thank you 🙏
