I rise to present a petition on behalf of North Devon resident Ella Wakley, in which she asks the House of Commons to urge the Government to allow blue badge holders with personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters, to be allowed on public land for accessibility purposes. I have met Ella and her parents in North Devon and in Westminster and have raised her case with multiple Ministers in various Departments. I recognise that this is a multifaceted issue, but I hope that by raising her case directly today, we can start taking steps to adjust regulations for blue badge holders so that they can go through life with freedom and independence, which can often be even more of a challenge in rural areas.

Over 1,500 people have signed Ella’s online petition, and the petitioners

“therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to ensure accessibility for blue badge holders to use personal electric vehicles”

—such as e-scooters—

“on public land.”

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The petition of Ella Wakley,

Declares that blue badge holders with personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters should be allowed on public land for accessibility purposes; and further that currently disabled people risk being fined and getting penalty points, even though personal electric vehicles are their only mode of independent transport.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to ensure accessibility for blue badge holders to use personal electric vehicles on public land.

And the petitioners remain etc

[P002995]