People with disabilities are being left “stuck at home” for up to three months due to Shropshire Council delays in dealing with blue badge applications, it has been claimed.

The authority has come under fresh criticism over the time it takes to process applications, which it says is partly because it has started asking for more evidence.

However the authority says it is training new staff to address the backlog.

Earlier this year the council confirmed some people were left waiting up to 12 weeks for their badges to arrive.

The matter was raised in October through a question to cabinet by Councillor Kate Halliday, who represents Belle Vue in Shrewsbury.

She said locals had told her that the council no longer sends out renewal reminders and that they are still waiting for weeks for their applications to be dealt with.

Councillor Halliday asked for the current average wait times and for the council to consider re-introducing text reminders.

Councillor Chris Schofield said the council’s previous approach to dealing with applications was “more ‘light-touch’ than we would have wanted”.

He said: “Whilst we should have identified this earlier, without the supervisory staffing capacity necessary this was overlooked.”

Councillor Schofield staff numbers had increased but ongoing training was currently affecting processing efficiencies.

"This will gradually reverse as the new officers become more knowledgeable and skilled," he said.

He also said that applicants are now being challenged to produce more robust evidence to demonstrate eligibility, which takes more time, and that it will take three years to completely overhaul the process.

Councillor Buckley pointed out that Councillor Schofield had not actually answered the questions of what the current wait times are and whether the council could re-introduce text reminders.

She said: “What residents are telling me is 12 weeks, and they’re telling me they’re stuck at home and can’t go anywhere while they’re waiting.”

A follow-up question from Councillor Halliday asked whether the council could consider automating the process for people with lifelong conditions. Councillor Schofield said he would respond in writing, including the figures that had been requested.