Angry exchanges as Wiltshire Council votes to reinstate free Blue Badge parking
Before councillors debated the motion they heard from three members of the disabled community
There were angry exchanges at County Hall in Trowbridge yesterday (Tuesday, October 21) as Wiltshire councillors narrowly voted to reinstate free parking for Blue Badge holders.
Before councillors debated the motion they heard from three members of the disabled community, including wheelchair user Emily Pomroy-Smith, who called parking charges for Blue badge holders – introduced by the Conservative administration in 2022 – “exclusion wrapped up in a parking ticket.”
Leader of the council, and Liberal Democrat leader, Ian Thorn said a vote in favour of returning free parking to Blue Badge holders would “send a strong message that we believe in fairness.”
Conservative leader Richard Clewer, though, said “We don’t know what it will cost.”
He challenged the estimated £40,000 a year in lost revenue – a number, he was reminded, that his party used when they were in power to justify introducing charges – and said it could be as high as £350,000 a year.
“It will have a significant impact on the income of the council,” he said.
Ed Rimmer, leader of the Reform UK group, admitted it was “a difficult one.”
He proposed an amendment to read that free parking should only apply to Blue Badge holders using disabled parking bays.
Ms Pomroy-Smith was told she could not respond, but called out: “Disabled bays are often not available. We park where we are able to park.”
Cllr Chris Taylor (Conservative, Salisbury St Pauls) said: “Blue Badges are not a VIP pass. You do not want to be entitled to a Blue Badge, and given a choice all Blue Badge holders would gladly trade their badge to be without a disability.”
On the finances, Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said there was an assumption that Blue Badge holders used car parks as regularly as other drivers. “This is not the case,” he said. “A cost of £40,000 is the best figure we have.”
The debate then started to descend into a slanging match, with councillors on either side of the chamber throwing insults. Chairman Laura Mayes had to step in and order them to stop.
Tamara Reay (Conservative, Devizes Rural West) said she was “gravely concerned that the numbers do not add up,” and put forward an amendment to send the matter to a scrutiny committee. Her suggestion fell at a vote.
A final vote to remove charges for Blue Badge holders in council-operated car parks narrowly passed with 49 voting for the motion, 40 against, and seven abstentions.
After the debate, Cllr Thorn told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The decision by Wiltshire Council to back free parking for people with Blue Badges is an excellent step forward.
“We heard from a number of people with disabilities and listened.”