City's parking nightmares: Parking Fiasco I

Norwich Evening News
DAVID POWLES, NAOMI CANTON
28 October 2006 09:15

David Jervis, with his wife Janet, has welcomed the decision not to scrap free parking for the disabled.

Councillors have thrown out controversial plans to withdraw free parking for disabled people in parts of the city.
Norwich City Council's scrutiny committee has decided not to scrap free parking in its surface car parks for blue badge holders.
Members have also announced an investigation into claims the blue badge scheme is being abused by people who are not disabled.
The council wanted to scrap its policy which allows blue badge holders to park anywhere in surface car parks in the city centre. Instead, they would either have to pay or compete for the few designated blue badge spots. The proposals caused anger among pensioners, while shopkeepers said the move, coupled with increased prices for park and ride and some car parks, would deter people from coming to the city.
The scrutiny panel has voted unanimously for the changes, aimed at saving £20,000, to be dropped.
Adrian Ramsay, leader of the Green Party group, said: “I think it is extremely important that as a council we are inclusive and this means giving disabled people good access to the city centre.”
Hereward Cooke, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “It was decided that we needed to support the disabled community and that this proposal did not do that.”
The blue badge scheme is managed by Norfolk County Council and applicants are supposed to meet certain criteria.
However, councillors decided to instigate a review into the system amid reports people give erroneous information to obtain the cards.
Mr Ramsay added: “There are fears that some people are able to abuse the system. If there are people who are not disabled but have a blue badge and park in the designated spaces that might be stopping the real disabled from getting a space.”
David Jervis, 76, from Saracen Road, Hellesdon, who has a blue badge which he uses to come to the city every week with his wife Janet, 73, welcomed both decisions.
He said: “I think this is very good news because they have got to support disabled people. I would like to see them have 10 or 12 spaces close together in the city for blue badge holders because at the minute they are all over the place.
“It would surprise me if people got them when they shouldn't because the checks are extensive.”
Harold Bodmer, director of adult social services at Norfolk County Council, said: “Blue badge applicants are asked to provide proof that a badge is needed, must meet the application criteria and provide supporting evidence. If there is any question over an application, contact is made directly with the applicant's GP.”