Blue badge plan stuck in reverse

Labour councillors have condemned plans to charge blue badge holders for parking on council car parks.

Spokesman Phil Harrison, shadow Cabinet member for adult services and communities, said it will cause congestion on the streets, and turn shoppers away.

The charges are part of a second wave of budget savings proposed by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition running the council.

They could raise £94,000, but Councillor Harrison said: “This is a bad decision.

“Not only will it hurt people with disabilities, who will have greater difficulty in using town centre shops and amenities such as the library, art gallery and theatre, but it will mean lost custom and revenue for restaurants, shops and other local businesses that are already suffering in the current economic climate.”

He accused the coalition of targeting vulnerable adults, and added: “This proposal will cause more on street parking which will cause congestion and make Oldham a less attractive place to shop.

“I find it hard to understand why the coalition, who are proposing to freeze car park charges for a second year, have decided to create a charge for blue badge holders.

“Will wheelchair users, who have the independence of driving themselves into town and transferring themselves into their chairs, now have the indignity of asking a passer-by to put their money in the machine because they can’t reach the slot or will we have to go to the expense of installing new, lower-access pay machines?”