Disabled drivers in Watford are pleased with the introduction of new anti-fraud blue badges, despite a steep increase in price.

When residents need a new badge, they will now need to apply for an electronically printed card, much like a driving licence, which will include a unique hologram, a digital photo and a serial number in an attempt to tackle fraud and misuse.

Kumar Moorthy, the treasurer of Disability Watford and trustee member of Disability Motoring UK, hopes the new cards will cut down the incorrect use of the badges. He said: “It is a lot more secure and difficult to clone - I think time will tell whether or not it is clone proof.

However the new high-tech badges, which were officially introduced on January 1, come at a price and disabled drivers will have to pay £10 for a badge in the future, a large increase from the previous £2 price tag.

Mr Moorthy added: “We understand there has to be an administration charge. The cost will be hard to bear for some individuals who are on very limited means.

“This is another unanticipated cost and ultimately there is no choice - driving a car and parking it close to their location is very much a lifeline.”

The blue badges will be valid for up to three years and give on-street parking and an entitlement to congestion charge concessions to disabled people, either as a driver of passenger.

Transport Minister, Norman Baker, said: “Motorists who pretend to be disabled to get some free parking are frankly disgraceful. They prevent real Blue Badge holders from using parking bays designed for those genuinely in need and they cheat the vast majority of road users who play fair when they park their cars.

“Our new Blue Badges will be as secure as a banknote and anyone thinking of faking it can forget it.”

Hertfordshire County Council receives approximately 20,000 applications for blue badges each year.