Blue badge parking costs reduced

9.39.01am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 10th Apr 2007

Blue badge holders will be able to purchase books of parking tickets and receive up to 50% off from car parks in parts of south Somerset. The cards can be used in any council car park which is Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant.

A council spokesman said the voucher scheme would help disabled people to get around town and feel included. "The council has done a lot of work to ensure its car parks meet DDA requirements," he said. "This includes widening the bays, ensuring they are well lit, and having a lower parking meter," Garry Green from South Somerset District Council (SSDC) added.

The vouchers are available in one, two, and three hour intervals from SSDC offices at Petters Way in Yeovil, and the Lace Mill in Chard. They are also available from the South Somerset Disability Forum Offices in South Street in Yeovil. The books will be available from Monday 16 April. Drivers must display the card clearly beside the blue badge for inspection by parking officers.

On-street parking arrangements remain free to disabled drivers, and there are still no charges in the car parks at Castle Cary, Wincanton, Bruton, Langport, or Somerton