DISABLED drivers will park on double yellow lines or not come into Kidderminster town centre if blue badge holders lose their concessions, according to a campaign leader.

Mark Lawley, chairman of Disability Action Wyre Forest, warned plans to remove free parking at Wyre Forest District Council car parks to save money could backfire if those affected turned their backs on the town.

The controversial proposal was approved at a full council meeting last week as part of the 2014/15 budget in a bid to increase council income.

Council leader, Conservative councillor John Campion, told the meeting drivers parked expensive cars using blue badges and many could afford to pay charges.

He added a “safeguard ” would be set up to protect those who could not afford to pay.

Mr Lawley told The Shuttle : “They [the administration] look at everything as pounds and pence rather than a person’s need. They think someone has a big car but do not look at ‘do they need a carer?’, for example.”

He said many disabled people had to drive to get to town and many would have parked in several different places during the same trip to get to different parts of Kidderminster.

“I cannot see the council making much money out of it – I would just go and park on double yellow lines or not bother going into town,” he added. “What they claim they would make in sav- ings, they would lose out on people using their car parks.”

Blue badge holders are entitled to park on double yellow lines for a maximum of three hours.

Independent Aggborough and Spennells councillor John Aston said a number of concerned residents had contacted him about the proposals.

“How wrong have the council got this? Anyone who has got a blue badge should be able to park for free in Wyre Forest,” he added.

The proposals were part of the 2014/15 budget package approved by 25 votes, from Conservative and Liberal and Independent group councillors, to 15, from Independent Community and Health Concern (ICHC) and Labour politicians.