Transport Minister Shaun Woodward has today welcomed the launch of the 'Baywatch' Northern Ireland campaign, which highlights parking problems faced by disabled drivers in Northern Ireland.

The Transport Minister said: "I welcome this campaign to increase awareness about how bad parking behaviour can compromise access for disabled people. Misuse of dedicated parking bays provided for Blue Badge holders is unacceptable. These facilities provide the opportunity for many disabled people to be able to park close to shopping, health care and other essential services."

Mr Woodward also commented on the fact that his department had received a lot of feedback from Blue Badge holders on this issue during its consultation on the Accessible Transport Strategy, which was published in 2005.

The Strategy also promised that the Department would support such a campaign and work with representative organisations to help change public attitudes.

The Minister continued: "This campaign has my personal support and my Department has now the opportunity to use its new powers under the Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement initiative to deliver a clear and consistent message that abuse or misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme will no longer be tolerated.

"I am delighted that this initiative, which the Inclusive Mobility & Transport Advisory Committee and others are promoting, has now started."

He concluded by saying that he hopes that private and public sector organisations across Northern Ireland will get behind the campaign and support it.

(EF/SP)