BLUE badge holders are set to lose their free parking privileges under a council’s new rules, in a move labelled an “absolute disgrace”.
Tonbridge and Malling Council in Kent will run a 12-month trial of ANPR cameras in multiple car parks, removing a crucial parking benefit for the disabled.
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Are you set to be affected by the trial? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
The cameras are to be installed across two council-owned car parks – Haysden Country Park and Western Road in Borough Green.
They will replace existing pay and display machines, with the local authority stating this means “the same enforcement and charges will be encountered by all users”.
New fees will have to be added for the operation and management of the system, as well as for maintenance costs.
The council said: “Currently, disabled drivers with a blue badge, can park for free.
“If we move to numberplate enforcement, these blue badges can’t be identified and they will need to pay at the ANPR sites.”
Official documents go on to state: “Introduce and manage the operation of an ANPR system in two council car parks.
“This will include the installation of required equipment (new entry/exit point camera, barrier, payment point and signage), management of the system and collection of revenue.”
It adds: “The project will enable an assessment of whether the more widespread introduction of ANPR across other council’s car parks should be considered.
“This may be achieved by using a third party to deliver and manage the project on our behalf.”
One driver said: “ANPR take entrance and exit photos of cars at the entrance to car park.
“I have never known one to recognise blue badges. Because of this, it looks like the blue badge holders will have to argue their case. Absolutely disgusting.
“I think that the only positive action, out of this, is there might be a job up for grabs to sort it out and help the blue badge holders. It’s a disgrace.”
The cost of setting up and using the new cameras is estimated at £70,000, including £5,000 to create an options report and the production of specification to seek quotations, reports GBNews.
The trial will begin by the end of the year.
WHAT IS A BLUE BADGE AND WHAT DOES IT OFFER?
The blue badge scheme was launched in 1970 and around 2.4million disabled people in England have one.
It enables them to park free of charge in pay and display bays.
They are also able to park free of charge for up to three hours on yellow lines.
They cost £10 from local authorities, and Londoners will be exempt from the Congestion Charge.
There are a range of places that you can park with a blue badge that you would be able to without one.
These are:
- In streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need to
- In disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need to, unless a sign says there is a time limit
- On single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours unless there’s a ‘no loading’ sign
Double check in private car parks if it is free because some places do still charge for disability parking.
If you are unsure if you can park somewhere, check the website or contact the council or owners of the carpark.
You still must obey the rules of the road and not park illegally.
The government website states that the badge is “not a licence to park anywhere”.