DISABLED people should be charged to use Ceredigion council-run car parks, with Blue Badge holders instead given an extra hour of parking for free, council officers have recommended.

Ceredigion council has been consulting with disability groups on the plans, that have been recommended for approval by officers, the thriving communities scrutiny committee has heard.

In a report put before members on Wednesday, the plans would see “fees and charges to apply to all Blue Badge holders but that an additional hour of free parking is provided in addition to the time paid for.”

Currently Blue Badge holders do not have to pay any charge at council-run car parks throughout the county, and officers from the council have carried out a statutory formal consultation on the proposal.

The report said: “As part of the consultation process, officers have been actively engaged with representatives of the Ceredigion Disability Forum.

“Whilst the Ceredigion Disability Forum did not have a general objection to the premise of charging all Blue Badge holders, it did raise concerns regarding the accessibility of pay-and-display machines and the location and number of dedicated Blue Badge holder spaces.

“As part of their response it was requested that an audit of the car parks be undertaken, to which the authority indicated it had no objection. An audit of the car parks was undertaken in August, and a report on any issues is being considered by the council."

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