PATROL is pleased to launch the bid submission process for its Driving Improvement Awards in 2025. The Awards are focused on inspiring and recognising communications campaigns and activities that drive positive change – both in local areas and replicable nationally – in the delivery of and public engagement towards parking and traffic enforcement services.

Tackling the issue of Blue Badge abuse

The Driving Improvement Awards seeks bids focused on an important and pressing issue or theme each year. In 2025, this will be the misuse of Blue Badges, with recent data indicating continuing rises in both badge thefts and fraudulent usage. Blue Badge abuse undermines the integrity of the disabled parking scheme and the rights of disabled motorists, so it is critical for councils to increase public awareness and education on the issue and its prevalence in their communities.

Access funding up to £25k

PATROL is offering access to funding of up to £25,000 from its existing innovation and research reserves for authority bids to deliver a communications campaign or activity with objectives aimed at addressing blue badge abuse. Activities could include, for example, new public information, marketing, branding or PR. Bids should focus on implementation locally, but with the scope for the campaign / activity to be replicated by any England and Wales authority within the PATROL Joint Committee, or to be taken forward by PATROL itself to elevate on a national scale.

Recognition and inspiring others

This is a fantastic opportunity for authority parking and traffic teams (as well as supporting communications teams) to showcase their creativity in and commitment to addressing local challenges, while also helping to drive change nationally. Participating in the Awards will not only highlight your authority’s dedication to improving community engagement, but also position parking and traffic teams as leaders in innovative problem solving.

Shortlisted authorities will be recognised at PATROL’s Annual Reception in Westminster, Central London, on Tuesday 15 July 2025, where the winner of this year’s Awards will be announced. PATROL will then support winning authorities to implement their campaign / activity ahead of the following year’s event, with the outcomes, learnings and best practice shared with the wider Joint Committee cohort.

 

*** SUBMIT YOUR BID BY MONDAY 31 MARCH 2025 ***

Bids for the Driving Improvement Awards 2025 can be submitted through an online form hosted at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PATROLDIAwards2025.

An offline version of the entry form is available to help prepare answers in advance before submitting online. Please contact the team on the details below.

PATROL encourages authorities to engage in this opportunity and is excited to see the inventive solutions brought to the table.

Please note: It is recognised that some authorities may lack the in-house expertise to deliver a campaign / activity, but may still have strong ideas to contribute to this year’s theme. Such authorities are still encouraged to enter a bid, making it clear in their submission that they would prefer PATROL to undertake the communications activity on their behalf.

Should your authority have any queries or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the awards team at: patrolawards@patrol-uk.info.