Local disabled drivers have hit out at Wiltshire Council over the delay in introducing its free one-hour grace period for Blue Badge holders in local car parks.
Wiltshire Council controversially introduced charges for Blue Badge holders last year. But following an uproar from local people, the council agreed to introduce a one-hour grace period to allow Blue Badge holders an extra hour on any parking ticket in council-run car parks.
That decision was made back in January with the council saying the grace period would be introduced ‘as soon as possible’. But nearly six months on and the free grace period has still not been introduced.
“It’s scandalous,” said Blue Badge holder, Tony Seager. “It is really poor that they charge for Blue Badge holders anyway – I believe they are one of only six councils in the country to do this.
“But then to promise to give us an extra hour free, but not to have done it months later, it’s not very good, is it?
“I called the council who said they would do it eventually, but didn’t have the resources to change the signs. But they didn’t waste any time in putting up the signs to say Blue Badge holders had to pay!
“It wasn’t right to introduce these charges, but then to spend months bringing in the free hour is just not good enough.”
White Horse News contacted Wiltshire Council about the delay last week and were told that the one-hour grace period will commence from 1st August.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Transport said, “Following discussions with disability groups, we are implementing a one-hour grace period for Blue Badge holders, allowing an extra hour on a parking ticket purchased in council-run car parks.
“Any changes to parking schemes must follow the legal process before they can be implemented. The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and required public consultation have now been completed and we can confirm that the one-hour grace period will commence from 1 August.
“When it is introduced, Blue Badge holders will need to purchase a ticket and display their Blue Badge as usual when parking in Wiltshire Council car parks, and the additional time period will be implemented from when the ticket time has expired.”
All drivers parking in Westbury car parks get one hour free in a scheme funded by Westbury Town Council.
