A ROSYTH pensioner who has had part of both legs amputated has been refused a blue badge by Fife Council.

Tom Hannah (73), of Carson Place, had two separate amputations last year due to a circulation problem caused by an irregular heartbeat.

But he’s been refused the disabled parking badge because he can walk over a distance of 20 yards – but only with crutches and help.

A council officer admitted that while it appeared to be “common sense” that Mr Hannah should qualify for a badge, they had to stick to the letter of the law based on the information they had received on his application form.

Mr Hannah said, “Last year I had my lower left leg amputated. When I got out of hospital a few months later I got my lower right leg amputated.

“I did have a blue badge before and I have got used to moving about a bit better – I said I could walk around my square – but that is with crutches and help because if I fall over I can’t get back up on my own easily.

“I was told on Tuesday that I was now not eligible for a blue badge because I could walk more than 20 yards.

“If I don’t get a blue badge I won’t be able to go anywhere – because I won’t be able to park near the shops and I won’t be able to walk from the regular car park spaces. I don’t have anything else than my blue badge – because I’m over 65 I’m not entitled to disability benefits.

“I don’t have both of my lower legs – how disabled do you have to be to be eligible?

“I was so angry when I was told that I would not be eligible for one because I can walk a short distance with my crutches – more than 20 yards I was told. That kind of distance – I couldn’t get from my front door to my car. I had a blue badge and now it is time for renewal questions are being asked about how far I can walk.” Anne Cowan, Fife Council’s lead professional for accessible transport and concessions, said, “When evaluating an application for a blue badge, all councils must follow a code of practice issued by Transport Scotland. This is national practice, not council policy, and the rules laid out in this guidance are very specific. We originally received Mr Hannah’s application on 19th August and contacted him shortly after to discuss it.

“Common sense would suggest that he is eligible for a blue badge but the way his mobility was described in his application did not meet the national scheme criteria.

“We explained this to Mr Hannah over the phone and are continuing to discuss the situation with him. We have invited him for a mobility assessment to try and resolve this situation.”