BLUE badge holders in Petersfield are being warned not to Ôtrade off everyoneÕs safety for convenienceÕ when parking in the town centre.

Pc Eric Martin, a traffic management officer at Whitehill, has urged blue badge holders to use marked disabled bays in Petersfield town centre to help the new parking zone run smoothly.

He said: ÒI would encourage badge holders to use the disabled bays provided. We all understand the difficulties that some drivers face who are not as mobile as others but it is important not to trade off everyoneÕs safety for convenience.Ó

He added: ÒThe new parking zone in Petersfield town centre will be a welcome change. It really is very simple. Park only in marked bays and make sure you read the time-plate adjacent to the bay.Ó

But he said that there had been some confusion relating to drivers with blue badges.

ÒThis is a good time to advise blue badge holders of their responsibilities. Whilst badge holders are exempt from the regulations, they must not park their vehicles in a position that will cause unnecessary obstruction,Ó he said.

ÒThe High Street has been narrowed considerably. This has provided safety benefits for everyone and with the 20mph zone has hopefully made the High Street more Ôuser friendlyÕ.Ó

He added that a badly-parked car could negate the safety aspect.

The new parking restrictions came into operation earlier this month and cover the High Street, The Square and St PeterÕs Road.

The zone, which has no yellow lines, is an extension of the scheme that has operated in Dragon Street for some time.

In addition the 20mph zone covers The High Street, The Square, part of Chapel Street, St PeterÕs Road, Hylton Road and The Spain.