Blue Badge parking will remain free across Lancaster district after 'overwhelming' consultation response

Lancaster City Council will retain free and unrestricted parking for Blue Badge holders in its pay and display car parks following an overwhelming response to a recent consultation.

More than 1,870 people responded to the consultation, with around 74% saying they want the current arrangements to remain unchanged.

In light of this strength of feeling, the council has confirmed that it will retain the existing Blue Badge parking arrangements.

This means that Blue Badge holders can continue to park for free and without a time limit in all of the city council’s pay and display car parks.

Coun Abi Mills, Lancaster City Council’s Disability Champion, said: “I am so relieved that our disabled residents have been heard loud and clear, and that the free parking will remain for blue badge holders.

“This will be a huge relief to a large number of people, and I thank those involved in the consultation for listening to our communities”.

Coun Peter Jackson, cabinet member with responsibility for Lancaster regeneration, said: “The response to the consultation has been overwhelming and we’ve heard very clearly that people value the existing arrangements, which are more generous than those offered in neighbouring districts, and want them to remain.”

Lancaster MP Cat Smith, who set up a petition against the proposed changes, said: “This is a victory for common sense, but it should never have come to this and needed such a massive campaign.

“There's still so many questions left unanswered as to why this consultation went out in the first place, with the city council threatening to remove blue badge parking - but we may never get answers as to how this happened.

“Residents with additional needs require this vital accessibility, and our city centre shops benefit from Lancaster being a welcoming place.

“Thank you to everyone who signed the petition and took part in challenging the city council on this, I'm so glad that together, we won.”

Green councillor Caroline Jackson said: “Parking arrangements need to work for the people who rely on them.

“The purpose of the consultation was to give residents a direct opportunity to express their views, help the council better understand their needs and ensure that any decisions are informed by the experiences of those most affected.

“The responses received so far have indicated very strong support for retaining the existing arrangements, which allow blue badge holders to park free of charge without a time limit in city council-owned car parks.

“The consultation will remain open to ensure that residents who are unable to participate online also have the opportunity to contribute.

“Lancaster City Council offers unrestricted free parking for blue badge holders in its own car parks, a provision that is more generous than those offered by other councils in the area.

“The consultation has reinforced the importance residents place on this arrangement, and we are pleased that the views expressed support its continuation.”

But Backbencher on the city council, Green councillor Gina Dowding, was far more forceful in criticising the actions of the two MPs.

“Cat Smith MP set up a petition and delivered leaflets door to door implying the free parking was to be axed,” Coun Dowding said. “Public consultations should be an opportunity for communities to have their say, not a source of unnecessary anxiety.

“I am sure it would be welcomed if our local MPs were to bring the same energy to discussions about free parking with other councils within their constituencies, where blue badge parking arrangements are more restrictive.”