Disabled drivers in Somerset are being left high and dry as new figures reveal a staggering shortfall in accessible parking spaces.

There are 193,102 Blue Badge holders across the South West — but just 510 dedicated bays listed for them to use in the area around BA6 9AT. That's one space for every 379 people with a permit, according to a major data investigation by Confused.com.

It's part of a wider national crisis, with just 63,000 Blue Badge bays available across the UK – despite more than 3.2 million people holding valid permits. That works out at 52 drivers for every single space.

And demand is rising fast. Applications for Blue Badges have surged by 31% between 2022 and 2024, with nearly 1.3 million new requests made in that period – alongside 1.5 million renewals.

In Somerset, that demand is creating a perfect storm of anxiety and frustration.

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of badge holders say they've had no choice but to park in a standard bay.
• A third say they've had to leave car parks altogether because there were no accessible spaces free.
• One in three say they've skipped outings altogether, worried they won't be able to park near enough.

And when people do find a space, it's often taken by someone who shouldn't be there. Almost 40% say they regularly see bays being misused, and nearly 30% say it makes them furious when it happens.

One in ten drivers even admitted to using a disabled space without a badge — with top excuses ranging from "just a few minutes" to "there were no other spaces" and even "I had kids with me".

The consequences? Councils issued more than 705,000 fines between 2022 and 2024 for misuse of Blue Badge bays — and those fines can reach up to £1,000.

Confused.com has now launched a free postcode tool to help Blue Badge holders see how many spaces are available in their local area — and where they're located. But the pressure's mounting for councils to act.

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, said: "For every Blue Badge bay in the UK, there are 52 people who need it. That's not just a statistic — it's the difference between someone getting to work, seeing their doctor, or being stuck at home.

"Using a Blue Badge space without needing one, even for a short time, has a real impact. It's clear we need more bays, better enforcement and much stronger awareness."

Blue Badges aren't just for visible disabilities. They also support people with conditions like autism, anxiety, chronic fatigue or pain — meaning the pressure on these spaces is only set to grow.

With demand rising and enforcement ramping up, councils across the UK now face increasing pressure to expand accessible parking provision — and to clamp down on those misusing it.