Fury among disabled residents as parking fines issued following introduction of charges for Blue Badge holders across Northampton

John Armitage, 79, said he received a ticket after parking in one of the disabled bays in Midsummer Meadow car park during a visit to the hospital. He told the LDRS that on his return, all other vehicles parked in the disabled spots had also been fined.

He said: “A little sign by the disabled spots as a warning to read the new rules would have been a good idea. I’ve been parking here for years – the sign is so similar to the old one and it looks unchanged.

“Everybody else has to pay and I know that. I’m not asking for a free space, I’m asking to be told they changed the rules because there was no sign on the way in or by the disabled bay saying charges now apply.

“There was a guy there that was as surprised as me when he got a ticket. I have appealed it because I don’t think it’s fair, really.”

The new charges for Blue Badge holders using council car parks came into effect as of April 1 this year. Previously, parking was free as long as the individual’s badge was clearly on display in their vehicle.

The decision to make all car park users pay the same rates was made when the council set its budget for 2026/27. It was introduced alongside an increase in hourly fees and the removal of two hours of free parking in Northampton at the weekend.

Louise, a blue badge holder from Northamptonshire, added: “There’s so many different rules in different places that it is almost impossible to know what to do. I have been put off – I’ve been to Northampton centre once since it has all changed, but not on my own.

”You have got inaccessible pay machines, or they are too far for disabled people to get to. People who have a Blue Badge have one for a good reason. I find it difficult and stressful with notices too far away to read; you almost feel tricked into doing the wrong thing.”

‘Communication has to happen first’

Councillor Farzana Aldridge (Lib Dems, Kingsley and Semilong), told the LDRS that she had been contacted by a number of residents expressing “real frustration and anger at how they feel people with a disability have been treated by WNC”.

“WNCs dealing with the issue of parking charges for Blue Badge holders without signage, broader communication and ensuring accessibility to payment machines is simply not good enough, let alone the unfairness of charging Blue Badge holders for parking in the first place.

“The communication has to happen first and the signage has to happen first, not simply expecting people to challenge the fines once they’ve been issued,” she said.

WNC has also been criticised for not making reasonable adjustments to its car parking pay machines, as some are not accessible to people with disabilities.

The LDRS is aware that in some sites, such as the Upper Mounts car park, temporary signs have been stuck up at the entrance to warn drivers that parking charges now apply for Blue Badge holders. This has not been implemented across all WNC car parks in the town centre.

The LDRS has asked WNC what steps the council took to market and raise awareness of the parking payment changes and why extra notices have not been put up across all affected car parks.

It has also asked whether the authority has seen an increase in Blue Badge holders receiving parking tickets since the charges were brought in. At the time of writing, WNC has not issued a response to the questions.

On whether parking appeals for Blue Badge holders will be accepted, a council spokesperson previously said: “Parking charge appeals are reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis, and anyone who believes their circumstances warrant consideration is encouraged to submit an appeal.”