Blue badge holders split over parking charges

A man who cares for his wife is urging a council to change its decision to charge for disabled parking.

Alan Ward, 78, whose wife has dementia, said it was "disgusting" that North Kesteven District Council was charging to stay in council-run car parks in Sleaford.

But another blue badge holder, Pauline Martin, said she was more concerned about a lack of available spaces than having to pay.

The council said parking fees "aligned with general practice" and were needed to keep the sites operational, but the charges "remained among Lincolnshire's lowest".

Ward said it was "the principle" of the change that he disagreed with.

He said: "You pay £10 for three years for your blue badge, it's supposed to help people to get parking easier and nearer to where they want to be.

"I think that a charge for it now is getting a little bit out of hand."

He said he would park elsewhere.

"We pay a council tax, we pay all our dues and demands as motorists and now, we've been hammered again for it," he added.

The council said it had brought in the charge, alongside a "slight increase" in general fees, to eight car parks in Sleaford and it was the first change for seven years.

However, blue badge holders were able to stay twice as long as other motorists for the same fee.

Other authorities in Lincolnshire, including Boston Borough Council, City of Lincoln Council and East Lindsey District Council, have already introduced similar charges for blue badge holders.

Disabled parking is free in council-operated car parks in South Holland, South Kesteven and West Lindsey districts.

Martin, 68, said a lack of available spaces was a bigger issue than charging blue badge holders.

"The spaces are taken up so quickly and obviously they get longer time," she said. "It's a bit annoying trying to get somewhere."

Another blue badge holder, Peter Farnsworth, 80, said he believed everyone should pay for parking and the fee was "not ruining" for disabled people.

"We get a wider bay, which means when my wife's in a wheelchair we can get out easier, so I have no objections", he added.

Christine Jones, a 73-year-old motorist, said the parking fee had also increased "for everybody else".

"Disabled people should park the same as anybody else," she added.

A spokesperson for the council said its parking concessions were "unanimously agreed by councillors".

"Free parking continues in two central car parks – Church Lane and Market Place – and they receive double the parking period, which is additional, free, complimentary time over and above the standard provision," the spokesperson said.

"Fees are however necessary to ensure parking provision remains financially sustainable, operationally effective and equitable, with more bays becoming more readily available to those who require them most."

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