A cancer patient who is undergoing treatment and had a toe removed says the blue badge system is letting people like her down.

Finance worker Sandy Burr was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in October.

When she found out her toe was being amputated, she applied for a blue badge in preparation - this usually has a 15-week wait time.

Not long after she had the operation on December 11, the Larkfield resident was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties and was found to have blood clots in her lung which also impacted how far she could walk.

Despite providing this evidence as part of her blue badge application, she was unsuccessful.

The scheme aims to help people with disabilities have access to goods and service by allowing them to park close to their destination.

The refusal letter explained how Sandy did “not meet any of the automatic eligibility criteria” which included demonstrating the applicant has an “enduring and substantial disability”, which is referred to as a condition likely to last for at least three years.

The letter said: “You are currently recovering from surgery that means we are currently unable to determine that your condition(s) will impact you to a substantial level for the life of the badge (three years).”

Reacting to this Sandy, said: “Because I was not going to need it for three years they refused the application, but there is no temporary badge or other option to apply for.

“There are no provisions for things like this, it sickened me really. I was angry because I do not need it for three years but there is nothing else I can apply for – it’s an unfair system.

“For cancer patients like myself, or anyone else going through a life-changing illness, little things like that can really help.”

In response, a Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said they understood the council’s decision was “disappointing” but it must assess eligibility against the Department for Transport guidance and legislation which it says provides a “very clear” set of eligibility criteria.

There are no provisions for things like this, it sickened me really

If Sandy’s mobility deteriorates or changes she can reapply after a period of six months from the date of her rejection letter.

But the stage three cancer sufferer feels the six-month period before reapplying does not account for the fact her mobility or condition may change much sooner than this.

She is about to start targeted therapy, a form of chemotherapy for a year, which has a long list of potential side effects.

The 52-year-old believes the three-year criteria is forgetting about cancer patients who deal with a host of debilitating symptoms which affect their mobility.

And she is is calling for a temporary blue badge policy.

The mum-of-one added: “If I had a temporary badge it would have made a massive difference. I’ve had to have further operations and currently I’m off my feet again so it would have helped.

“I’m still going for daily treatments and facing the issue of having to park a lot further away.”

She also believes the turnaround time for the blue badge application needs to be faster because when you do apply “you need it quickly”.

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson told KentOnline any review of the eligibility criteria would need to be undertaken by government.

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport explained while it sets the legislation governing the blue badge scheme, it is for local authorities to manage it.

Under the current law a blue badge can only be issued with a validity period of up to three years, except where an applicant is applying for one because they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit that is time limited.

In these cases, the badge issued will only be valid until the expiry of that benefit award if it is less than three years away.

Do you think you have also been unfairly treated by the blue badge rules? Get in contact with Elli Hodgson by emailing ehodgson@thekmgroup.co.uk