PEOPLE with disabilities in Wiltshire could once again benefit from free parking at council-owned car parks after it was previously removed.

Wiltshire Council’s new Liberal Democrat administration is hoping to receive support across the board at party level for the initiative to return free parking to Blue Badge holders, with councillors set to discuss it at a meeting of the full council in October.

This reinstatement was a pledge of theirs in the run up to the Wiltshire Council elections earlier this year.

Free parking for Blue Badge holders was removed by the then Conservative-run authority in 2022 along with a 10p increase per hour for all car park users – a move they said was necessary to help fund other services in the county.

Blue Badge users were instead given a one-hour grace period beyond the expiry of the ticket, but many described the move as callous.

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Lib Dem and Wiltshire Council leader, Ian Thorn, said he and his party believe that Blue Badge holders should be able to park for free – at a potential cost of £40,000 a year.

“Many face additional costs and challenges in daily life, and free parking helps to ensure fair access to essential services,” he said.

He added: “We are proposing to reverse this decision and reintroduce free parking for Blue Badge holders in council-operated car parks.

“It is estimated that this will cost £40,000 per year, but we believe that is well worth it to ensure disabled people can shop and access services.

“If the proposal is approved by full council in October, free parking for Blue Badge holders will be reinstated as soon as signage across all council car parks has been updated.

“We will ensure that this change is clearly communicated to the public.”

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