‘Unfair’ plans to charge Blue Badge holders to park in council carparks scrapped
“Unfair” plans to charge Blue Badge holders to park in council carparks have been scrapped by Bromley Council. The news has been welcomed by those in the local area who have been campaigning against the move.
The plans would have meant those with a Blue Badge would be liable to pay for using parking spaces owned by the local authority.
Sian Pugh, 59, who started a petition against the scheme has said she is "absolutely delighted” by the news the plans have been scrapped. She told MyLondon: "It's been quite interesting because we started off a bit fumbling in the dark and so it's lovely that a few months later the policy has been reversed.”
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Ms Pugh’s petition amassed over 4,000 signatures from residents and sympathisers who opposed the scheme. While she does not hold a Blue Badge, her daughter does, and she feels that the plans would have meant she would have paid more to go into Orpington than an able-bodied person who could walk or cycle.
“We felt it was a very unfair policy and that blue badge holders would pay more than the able-bodied. Blue badge holders don’t have the same choices as able-bodied people.”
Despite welcoming the news, Ms Pugh feels that it has been a long and difficult journey. She said: “I hate the fact that disabled people have to fight so hard for everything."
Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, also welcomed the news. Mr Conlon, who shattered his right hip at 13 and relied on a wheelchair afterwards, has been campaigning with local residents on the issue.
He said: "It's the right decision and I’m pleased they've done a u-turn but I’m also disappointed that they would do it in the first place."
“It’s a lifeline for people with a Blue Badge - they can’t cycle, walk or use public transport. Of course, it's been a disappointing affair from start to finish but it has shown our community in a really positive light.” Bromley Council has said that the changes have been scrapped as the forecast deficit of £53m for the 2026/27 budget has now reduced to £26.6m.
Councillor Nicholas Bennett, Executive Councillor for Transport, Highways and Road Safety said: “When the proposal to charge Blue Badge holders was made last November, we were facing a forecast deficit of over £53m in 2026/27 and there was a need to identify significant savings. I have decided that we do not need to introduce Blue Badge charges as we now have proposals for a balanced budget in 2025/26 and the forecast ‘budget deficit’ for 2026/27 has reduced to £26.6m.”
“Local councils across the country have issued Section 114 notices or are seeking Exceptional Financial Support from the government to borrow large sums or sell assets to balance their budgets, or to increase council tax way above the 4.99 per cent limit. Because of our strict budgetary policy over many years and our transformation programme, we do not face this problem. However, we still have challenging decisions to make in the coming years unless the government brings in fair funding for local government.”
Got a story? Please get in touch at katherine.gray@reachplc.com
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