DISABLED shoppers will have to pay to use two Halstead town centre car parks, council bosses have announced.

From April 1, Blue Badge holders will have to purchase a parking ticket in the Sainsbury’s and the Butler Road car parks, both owned by Halstead Town Council.

Council bosses even claimed not charging disabled visitors amounts to discrimination against them.

Fees range from 60p for an hour to £5 for over six hours, although parking is free after 3pm.

Blue Badge holder Barry Jackson is set to take his custom to neighbouring town Sudbury.

Although he has little issue paying the small charge, he sees this as the council failing to support the town’s businesses.

He said: “As far as the charges are, they a small amount, however a disabled person will take much longer to shop for various reasons, therefore the smaller 60p charge is almost transparent, different disabled have different reasons for holding a blue badge, often disabilities are hidden.

“Personally I believe the council are not helping local business by charging anyone.

“Sudbury have a great idea, free parking. Non-Blue Badge holders collect a ticket, this stops abusers that overstay.

“I travel to Sudbury every week, I’ll shop there rather than pay any parking charge.

“Halstead should look at Sudbury’s set-up.”

Another Blue Badge holder, who uses the Sainsbury’s car park on a regular basis, said: “I do not have any problem paying but the needs of Blue Badge holders still need to be put first.

“A lot of people have Blue Badges because of mobility issues, luckily the Sainsbury’s ticket machine is next to the supermarket.

“But did the town council realise that? If the parking meter had been on the other side of the car park, would they force them to walk across the car park and back again?

“As I said, I don’t think paying is an issue, as long as the needs of blue badge holders are still taken into consideration.”

In a statement, the town council said: “The reason put forward by the councillors was that some people feel that by not charging them we are actually discriminating against Blue Badge owners.

“Just because someone is a Blue Badge owner, does not necessarily mean they are poor and we would not want to presume that.

“This is no way to increase revenue for Halstead Town Council.

“A number of posters have already been placed around the car parks, and Blue Badge owners will have a notice popped on their windscreen over the next few weeks for additional warning.”