Empty Blue Badge Bays Will Stay

Disabled parking bays in Epsom's Town Hall car park are to stay, after RA councillors performed a U-turn on previously supporting a Lib Dem move to return 6 of the 20 bays for general use.

A report discussed by the Environment Committee in October confirmed that use of the disabled parking bays had declined and that "there are normally unused Blue Badge spaces at all times". The council had surveyed car park usage over a period of 6 months on 579 occasions. On 573 occasions there had been at least six Blue Badge bays empty. The Lib Dems had brought the matter forward to a meeting of the whole council in December, after the Environment Committee chairman used her casting vote to defeat the proposal to return 6 bays for general use.

Cllr Julie Morris said "We've received complaints from shoppers who have found this short-stay and most central car park full, but driven past lots of empty disabled parking bays on their way to trying to find a space. It is quite clear the balance is wrong. I've also had Blue Badge holders telephone me to say they don't use the car parks any more because they have to pay. Indeed why would they, when they are allowed to park on the streets without having to pay."

The essence of the Lib Dem proposal was that the council cannot afford to have empty spaces in car parks. Car park income is one of few ways the council has to earn money. Income generated by the council keeps council tax low. Returning 6 spaces to general use would not penalise Blue Badge holders since they would still have an over-provision according to the both the surveys and Department of Transport guidelines.

The council agreed to change 12 Blue Badge bays to "dual" use : this means they can be used by anyone between 4pm and 7am. Cllr Morris said "This won't really help anyone except those who want to use the car park after 4pm, but it was better than nothing". Council also agreed to review the usage again after a year.