Disabled to pay for parking

The move will save Durham City Council an estimated £50,000 in parking fees each year.

Councillors have decided to give parking permit holders for Durham City Council car parks a renewal of their permits until December 3 - to give them time to make alternative arrangements for car parking in the city.

From the end of June until December, car park permits will be able to be used at Millburngate multi-storey and city centre surface car park. Permits will not be issued after the end of this year.

The decision to stop the sale of permits was taken following a report from the District Audit office, which questioned the issue and pricing of annual permits. Permits are usually issued to attract custom to car parks. This is not the case in Durham City.

A council spokesman said: "Millburngate car park in particular has, at times, to turn away short-stay shoppers and visitors to the city centre, which results in a queue of waiting vehicles then blocking the adjacent road network. The number of annual permit users worsens this situation.

"Following consultation with disabled car users and a recommendation from District Audit, it has been decided to charge for disabled car parking spaces in Durham City."

She added: "This reflects concern from local disabled badge holders that able-bodied drivers are abusing the system and using disabled spaces because they are free."

According to the council, the majority of people consulted said the main concern was being able to rely on dedicated spaces for them to use, rather than payment or non-payment for parking in the city centre.

The spokesman said: "The council is committed to the provision of dedicated disabled spaces in the city centre.

"Treating all drivers alike in charging policy is not an issue with the disabled drivers consulted by the council.

"The provision of well-sited disabled drivers spaces and their sole use by appropriate drivers is of more pressing concern to those involved."