The public is being asked to have their say on proposals to make all disabled people pay to park in Cornwall Council run car parks.

Vehicles displaying both a blue badge and a nil tax/disabled tax disc have been able to park for free in Council car parks since 2010, while the drivers of vehicles displaying a blue badge on its own have had to pay.

Those who have to pay are, however, also entitled to an hour’s additional free parking.

The proposals only affect blue badge holders who also have the nil tax/disabled tax disc. As part of the plans, holders of these cards will have to pay to park but will also be entitled to an additional hour’s free parking.

Anyone who would like to take part in the consultation can download a questionnaire from the Council’s website www.cornwall.gov.uk/parkingconsultations or pick up a paper copy from any Council One Stop Shop. Feedback from the consultation, which runs from Friday 16 January to Friday 17 April, will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet.

Councillor Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport, said: “The reason we gave this concession in the first place was because our equipment was not helpful to some disabled people. As we are now able to replace that equipment and have the RingGo service, we feel that this is a moment to consider re-introducing charging.

“We are keen to hear what people think. Needless to say the council is in straightened financial circumstances and every penny counts.”

Free parking for blue badge holders who also have a nil tax/disabled tax disc was brought in at a time when the Council did not have accessible pay and display machines in all of its car parks. However accessible pay and display machines are being brought in at most car parks and drivers can also pay for parking online or through their mobile phone by using RingGo.

And as paper tax discs were abolished in October 2014, parking enforcement officers can no longer check that a vehicle is eligible for free parking.

People affected by the proposals will be able to continue to park for free without being penalised in the following restricted ‘on street’ areas (as long as they don’t cause an obstruction):

• Limited parking areas – for an unlimited time

• Yellow lines – for three hours or less

• Resident’s parking zones – for an unlimited time

• Disabled bays – for an unlimited time unless roadside signs show time limits.

Drivers with vehicles displaying a blue badge should always consider others when parking on roads marked with yellow lines, and not park where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users.

To download a copy of the questionnaire visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/parkingconsultations. You can also pick up a paper copy from any Council One Stop Shop or request one by calling 0300 1234 222; email your comments to disabledparking@cornwall.gov.uk; or, write to Disabled Parking Consultation, Parking Services, PO Box 664, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 9DH.

For more information on RingGo visit www.myringgo.co.uk