Wiltshire Council’s Liberal Democrats have successfully overturned a controversial policy implemented by their Conservative predecessors, restoring free parking for Blue Badge holders in council car parks. The decision, made during the council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 7, reverses the introduction of parking fees for disabled residents that had been in place since 2022.
The original charges, part of the 2022 budget, now await full council approval on October 21 to be finalized. With approximately 30,000 Blue Badge holders in Wiltshire, councillors spoke passionately about the real-life impact of the charges. Many described the parking fees as effectively “a tax on disabled people,” highlighting the difficulties disabled individuals face daily.
The Conservative opposition, led by deputy leader Dominic Muns, questioned the financial implications of returning to free parking. While the Liberal Democrats estimate a revenue loss of around £40,000, Muns suggested the actual figure could be much higher—between £350,000 and £400,000. However, cabinet member for highways, Cllr Martin Smith, clarified that the council does not specifically track Blue Badge parking usage, and the previous estimate was based on assumptions from the prior administration.
READ MORE: Cancer Research UK Reveals List of 88 Shop Closures Including Somerset Location
READ MORE: Keynsham Town Centre to Undergo Major Transformation, Including Potential Pedestrianisation
Council leader Ian Thorn also contested the higher figure, noting no significant £400,000 increase in parking revenue was recorded after charges were introduced. Muns expressed concern that revenue from parking supports the county’s bus network. He argued that reopening free parking would subsidize car owners at the expense of public transport users, calling the policy reversal “purely ideological.”
Those in favor of reinstating free parking stressed the social and practical benefits. Gordon King (Westbury East) emphasized the value in ending discrimination and improving accessibility. Helen Belcher (Corsham Pickwick) pointed out that the projected loss represents less than 1% of parking income and cautioned against assumptions about Blue Badge holders’ financial status.
Jon Hubbard (Melksham South) appealed to focus on the human impact rather than costs, sharing personal stories of loved ones who depended on Blue Badge access. Kym-Marie Cleasby (Marlborough East) reinforced the financial burdens disability imposes, describing the charges as a punitive extra cost on already vulnerable families.
After the decision, Cllr Smith highlighted the broad criteria for Blue Badge eligibility, which includes limited mobility, blindness, war pensioner status, or other significant disabilities. He also noted many Blue Badge holders do not drive themselves but rely on carers or relatives. The policy, he said, promotes fairness, independence, and inclusion, aiming to make Wiltshire a more accessible community for all.