NEW charges for Blue Badge holders in Waverley’s car parks will come into effect from Monday, October 23.

It comes after contractors selected to carry out promised modifications to make the borough’s car parks more accessible started work last week.

Hobart Paving will be installing accessibility ramps, hand rails and dropped kerbs around some of the ticket machines in Waverley’s car parks, in line with Equality Act guidelines, over the coming weeks.

This follows the decision by Waverley Borough Council to remove the three-hours free parking provision for disabled drivers in the borough’s council-run car parks.

As of October 23, normal tariffs will apply to park in both disabled bays and normal bays, but Blue Badge holders will also receive one additional hour of parking for free, when purchasing one or more hours and displaying their Blue Badge.

New signage will also be placed close to disabled bays to explain how to pay using the RingGo service, so disabled drivers don’t need to get to the ticket machines to access the information.

Free permits are available to Blue Badge holders living in Waverley who receive one of the qualifying benefits. They entitle the permit holder to park for free in Waverley car parks for up to three hours in disabled bays or all day in normal bays.

Anyone entitled to a permit is encouraged to apply.

They can do by visiting www.waverley.gov.uk/disabledparking or calling 01483 523408.