BLUE Badge refusals in the Vale of Glamorgan have more than trebled under a system that has been described as a "complete shambles".

Earlier this year the Welsh Government implemented a system in which local councils would make decisions on whether a person was eligible for a disabled parking "Blue Badge" based on a set of criteria and guidelines handed down to them.

Previously, applications were approved based on advice and information from an applicant's GP. The changes were made as a means of clamping down on people who abuse the system.

Now, with figures showing that refusal numbers have rocketed across Wales, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport Edwina Hart has called for a "rapid review".

Figures show that in 2010-11 there were 72 blue badge refusals in the Vale. In 2013-14, since the new system came in, there were 237.

A high profile example of one such refusal was when heroic lollipop lady Karin Williams was turned down for a blue badge by the Vale of Glamorgan council.

Karin suffered horrendous injuries and has been left with mobility issues after throwing herself in front of an out-of-control car to protect schoolchildren in Rhoose in 2013.

Although the Vale council eventually reversed the decision, Karin says that she witnessed first hand how poorly the new system has been implement.

She said that she thought it was wrong for GPs to have effectively been removed from the process, and for decisions to be being made by council staff.

"As far as I can see, the wrong people are being refused," she said.

Regional Assembly member Andrew RT Davies said his "post bag was full of letters from people who feel they have been unfairly refused a blue badge".

Regional AM, Andrew RT Davies, added: "The Minister’s decision to instigate an urgent review is welcome but the current system is a complete shambles and there appears to be no consistency throughout Wales.

“This has been a matter of concern for Vale residents for some time

“The Welsh Government has put the mess down to issues with implementation, but that won’t cut it for the hundreds of disabled motorists who have been refused a badge.”