Dunne secures blue badge parking improvement for Ludlow
Local MP Philip Dunne has helped South Shropshire Access Group to persuade Shropshire Council to introduce length of stay restrictions on disabled bays in Ludlow Town Centre.
Mr Dunne said: “When I was being shown round Ludlow in a wheelchair with the South Shropshire Access group a few months ago to understand what it was like to be a wheelchair user shopping in the town centre, I was asked to help prevent the disabled bays in the town from being occupied all day by blue badge holders. I am pleased that Shropshire Council has responded positively to my request that they should consider introducing a time limit on disabled bays, as they are entitled to do. These vital parking facilities for blue badge holders should not be used for all day parking. Introducing a 3 hour time limit should allow more blue badge holders access to the shops in the town centre.”
Chris Edwards, Assistant Director, Environmental Maintenance of Shropshire Council has confirmed: “Further consideration of the regulations and our existing Shropshire Council (Prohibition of Waiting and Parking Places) (Consolidation) Order 2009, we have concluded that the regulations do not preclude the Authority from putting time limits on disabled persons parking places.
As such we are currently in the process of preparing a proposed amendment to the Order to allow the introduction of a time restriction of 3 hours with a prohibition of return within 2 hours on all the parking bays in Ludlow reserved specifically for Blue Badge holders. Subject to completion of the appropriate statutory consultation process, implementation of these proposals will be treated as a priority.”
Richard Phillips, Chairman of South Shropshire Access Group said: “This is good news for blue badge holders in South Shropshire. We have been pressing for some time for time limits to be introduced to disabled bays and are grateful to Philip Dunne for his help in persuading Shropshire Council to use the powers at their disposal.”
