Anger at blue badge charges

AN NHS body has been criticised for including fees for disabled blue badge holders in its reintroduction of parking charges for visitors and patients.

The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust suspended them during the coronavirus pandemic, but this month it brought the charges back at its five sites. Staff parking remains free.

This includes reintroducing charges for disabled drivers with blue badges first imposed in May 2018.

Blackburn with Darwen Council health spokeswoman Coun Jacquie Slater branded the decision as ‘wrong’ and ‘unfair’.

A spokeswoman for

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We have been very pleased to provide free car parking during the last eight months of the pandemic.

“However, as we move into the winter months, we have taken the difficult decision to reinstate charges for visitors and patients.”