Blue Badge and Accessible Parking in Catford

Lewisham Council runs the Blue Badge scheme for Catford, Rushey Green and Bellingham, and GOV.UK carries the national rules. This guide uses their pages and says where they differ from what you might expect.

How to apply or renew

The council's apply or renew page says Lewisham residents apply online and that there are no paper applications. You can use a smartphone camera to upload a digital photo and photos of proof of identity, address and evidence of entitlement. Badges are not renewed automatically: you make a new application with a new photo and evidence. The council says it will endeavour to email a reminder about 12 weeks before expiry and cannot accept applications where the badge has more than three months left. Successful applications and replacements carry a £10 administration fee, paid by card. GOV.UK's apply or renew page says a badge costs up to £10 in England, usually lasts up to three years, and councils usually decide within 12 weeks.

For eligibility, the council's eligibility page lists people who qualify without further assessment, such as those receiving the higher rate mobility component of DLA or eight points or more on the moving around activity of PIP, and others who qualify after assessment, which can include a face-to-face assessment. Beware of sites charging £50, which the council says are scams.

What a badge lets you do

The council's where you can park page says badge holders can park in council-managed car parks, disabled bays, pay-to-park bays for unlimited time without charge, time-limited bays and shared-use bays where pay to park is permitted, and on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours where there is no loading or unloading restriction, using the clock. It lists where you cannot park, including suspended bays, school keep clear markings, zig-zags, bus stops, clearways and bus lanes. GOV.UK's rights and responsibilities guidance adds that car park operators decide whether badge holders park free, so do not assume you can. The council warns that misuse can lead to a £1,000 fine.

A Lewisham-issued badge holder with a vehicle registered at their address can also get a free 12-month disabled resident parking permit for resident, dual and triple use bays. It does not allow parking in a disabled bay without the badge displayed.

Accessible parking around Catford

On the council's car parks page:

• Holbeach Road: 672 spaces including 15 disabled, Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm.
• Thomas Lane: 61 spaces including six disabled, same hours. The Thomas Lane Yard page says it is due to close in early 2027, and that the new homes will be car-free except for Blue Badge holders.
• Canadian Avenue: 131 spaces including five disabled, public on Saturdays 8am to 6pm and council staff only on weekdays.
• Beckenham Place Park: 102 spaces including two disabled, daily 8am to 5pm, charges apply.

At the leisure centres, Better lists 10 disabled spaces among 64 paying spaces at Bellingham Leisure and Lifestyle Centre, and no car parking spaces at the Alex Yee Ladywell Arena. Charges, permits and zones are in the Catford parking guide, and venue details are in the leisure centres guide.

Catford Broadway pedestrian zone

The council's exemption permit page says that only vehicles with a valid exemption permit can enter Catford Broadway. It lists residents, businesses needing deliveries, market traders, and refuse and emergency vehicles, and does not list Blue Badge holders as a category. Contact the council's parking permits team before driving in.

Getting help

The council's permits team lists 020 8787 5397 and lewishamparkingpermits@nslservices.co.uk, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and the Blue Badge pages have an enquiry form. Badge holders also qualify for free swimming and gym use under the Be Active scheme; see the leisure guide.