Disabled councillor denied permit

4.51.13pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 21st May 2007

A former lord mayor of Bristol who has osteoarthritis has criticised the city council for not granting her a parking permit for disabled people. Councillor Brenda Hugill applied for a Blue Badge because she suffers severe knee pain and has difficulty walking. But she said she was told her condition did not entitle her to a pass.

The authority would not comment on Ms Hugill's case but said applicants must have a permanent and substantial disability to qualify.

Ms Hugill, Labour councillor for Lawrence Hill, said: "I've got to have more surgery on the right foot before the left foot is even considered. My left foot is deteriorating, my knees hurt and that's affecting my back. "This is the dilemma. I know that my body is deteriorating and osteoarthritis does not get better. "But according to medical evidence and my GP, I'm not permanently disabled."

She said many other people were in a similar position to her and that a temporary pass, to be reviewed each year, might be the answer.