Disabled parking 'a problem'

Published: 2:57 PM April 9, 2009 Updated: 8:24 PM October 10, 2020

BLUE badge holders are dodging disabled bays in borough council car parks to avoid paying for parking, it was claimed. Since August last year, disabled motorists have been paying for parking after a �230,000 council scheme increased the number of disabled spaces available.

BLUE badge holders are dodging disabled bays in borough council car parks to avoid paying for parking, it was claimed.

Since August last year, disabled motorists have been paying for parking after a �230,000 council scheme increased the number of disabled spaces available.

However, speaking at last Thursday's meeting of the council's car parking steering group, Labour councillor Valerie Pettit said roadsides were becoming clogged with blue badge holders who didn't want to pay for parking.

“When I walk around King Street car park there are as many blue badges on double yellow lines as there are empty disabled spaces in the car park. I think we have to stop charging people,” she said.

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Labour leader Mick Castle said blue badges were becoming “a plague” and while he had nothing against disabled drivers, he felt some commonsense was needed.

Councillors agreed King Street was a problem area for parking where lorries often get stuck because of vehicles parked on the roadside.

Tim Howard, the borough council's head of regeneration, is currently reviewing disabled parking in the borough and will report his findings at the groups next meeting in about six weeks time.