AN outcry over the introduction of parking fees for the disabled in Waverley has resulted in the borough council suspending enforcement action but only “temporarily”.

The U-turn followed a 390-strong protest petition claiming Waverley had not made its ticket machines safely accessible to wheelchair users or those with walking frames.

Announcing the decision Graeme Clark, Waverley’s strategic director of finance and resources, said: “We have listened to feedback from residents and community groups on the council’s decision to charge for disabled parking.

“We understand there have been concerns about the accessibility of the payment machines. To address this we have included additional benefits in the criteria for our permit scheme, including higher rate disability payments, to assist those who have significantly restricted physical mobility.

“We stand by our decision to charge for disabled parking. However, in light of residents’ concerns, we will now revisit our equality impact assessment in relation to accessibility aspects, and work with members of the disabled community, to identify any further measures we can take.

“While the review is ongoing we will not be enforcing disabled parking charges until any works identified are completed.”

Welcoming the news – but urging the scheme should be dropped – a spokesman for South West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network said: “The proposals to implement parking charges for blue badge holders has generated considerable concern and distress in the disabled community and an online petition has collected 394 signatures in just over a week.

“A comparative analysis of parking charges in Surrey’s 10 other borough councils and three neighbouring Hampshire borough councils reveals only two charge blue badge holders for parking and even in these two authorities some concession is offered.

“The comparative analysis reveals none of Waverley’s neighbouring authorities differentiate between those holders of blue badges, who receive certain benefits, and those who do not receive certain benefits in determining who should receive free parking.

“Such means testing is demeaning, divisive, discriminatory and unfair since many who do not receive these certain benefits mainly due to age are more disabled than those who do receive these certain benefits.

“These disabled people have real difficulties in using parking meters and are unable to use public transport. While we appreciate Waverley is facing reducing grants from central government and having to find other ways of raising revenue and reducing costs, it is worth noting East Hampshire has actually reduced its council tax charge and has still managed to maintain free parking for all blue badge holders both residents and non residents.

“In all other aspects of decision-making, Waverley stresses the need for public consultation with all interested stakeholders.

“But in this particular case there was no consultation with any disabled organisation. If consultation had taken place all the problems with the proposals would have been identified and the present distress that has been generated could have been avoided.”

Waverley disability blogger Tania Tirraoro protested to Haslemere MP Jeremy Hunt, when the charges were introduced on April 3.

Mr Hunt told The Herald: “I have spoken to council leader Julia Potts about this and she recognises changes need to be made to the original scheme. She is absolutely right to do this.”

Responding to Waverley’s decision to suspend charges, Tania said: “I’m really pleased this poorly-thought out decision has been halted, hopefully permanently. It should have included meaningful consultation with the area’s disability groups to start off with, as you should not impose changes on a section of the community without asking them how it would impact upon them.

“I would also question how much this will fill Waverley’s coffers. It will require a big investment to make pay machines accessible. Also, the extra charge for using the Ring-go app, discriminates against those who can’t use the machines at all. Added to this, the concessions Waverley were first forced to make, extending free parking to those on higher levels of mobility, means any potential revenue is minimised, especially when set against the ongoing admin for the plan.

“I know some other councils charge, but there is no real reason wealthy Waverley should compete in the race to the bottom when it comes to compassionate politics.”