Currie sees red over Blue Badge parking

BALLYMENA Borough Council is to survey the province’s other 25 local authorities over whether Blue Badge holders/disabled persons are allowed to park free of charge in their public pay & display car parks or whether they have to buy a ticket.

Councillors agreed to the move after it was claimed by Cllr James Currie that there was “utter confusion” amongst many Blue Badge holders on whether they were expected to pay or not.

“They can park on the streets free of charge but not in the car parks. It’s utter confusion,” said Cllr Currie who told last Monday night’s council meeting in The Braid that he had received many phone calls on the issue.

He explained that some badge holders weren’t aware payment was expected of them and had been taken aback to find a ticket on their return to their vehicle.

Cllr Currie suggested that Council write to the Environment Minister asking for a change in the legislation that would allow badge holders to park in DoE car parks free of charge.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Beth Adger said she was aware of a car park in Larne where disabled persons were not required to pay.

“There’s a sign up beside it which says if you are not disabled you have to pay to park but that if you are disabled you park free.

“It shouldn’t be any different in Ballymena than Larne,” she added.

Councillors agreed the suggestion of their Chief Executive Anne Donaghy that a survey be carried out across all 26 councils in relation to disabled parking charges and the results brought back to council’s September meeting so that they could take “an informed action”.

Cllr Maurice Mills said he felt “an urgent review” of parking generally was needed for the town centre, adding that giving motorists more time to park on the streets would assist both businesses and their customers.

Responding to the councillor, Mrs. Donaghy said she officers would get in touch with Ballymena Town Centre Development Limited on the issue in the first instance and then follow up with a “full and frank discussion” at a future meeting.