Tonbridge and Malling – Blue Badge holders will soon lose the ability to park for free at certain locations under new plans being trialled by Tonbridge and Malling Council. The local authority is set to introduce automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in two council-owned car parks, a move that has sparked concerns over its impact on vulnerable drivers.
The council intends to install the ANPR cameras at Haysden Country Park and Western Road in Borough Green as part of a 12-month trial. Under the new system, Blue Badge holders, who currently park for free at these sites, will no longer be exempt from parking fees due to the inability of ANPR technology to recognize Blue Badges.
A council spokesperson explained, “Currently, disabled drivers with a Blue Badge can park for free. If we move to number plate enforcement, these badges can’t be identified, and they will need to pay at the ANPR sites.” This means that Blue Badge holders will face the same enforcement and charges as other drivers at these locations.
The cost of implementing the ANPR cameras is projected to be £70,000, including £5,000 for an options report and the creation of a specification for the system. Additional costs will include management fees for the system and increased maintenance expenses due to potential vandalism or damage.
The cameras are expected to be installed by the end of the year and will operate on a trial basis for 12 months, with the possibility of an extension if the trial is successful. The council has stated that the trial will assess whether ANPR technology should be rolled out to other council car parks in the future.
While the council sees this as a step forward in modernizing its parking systems, the proposal has been met with mixed reactions. Some drivers argue that the technology is not sophisticated enough, pointing out that Transport for London can differentiate between Blue Badge holders and other drivers, and suggesting that similar technology should be implemented.
Critics are also concerned that the new system could create unnecessary challenges for disabled drivers. One resident expressed frustration, saying, “ANPR cameras take photos of cars at the entrance and exit, but I’ve never known one to recognize Blue Badges. It looks like Blue Badge holders will have to argue their case. Absolutely disgusting.”
Green Party councillors Lee Athwal and Mark Hood raised questions about the lack of provisions for Blue Badge holders during the council meeting. The party said, “We were told that the council will now be looking at how residents can register in advance to access ANPR car parks, as is the case in Ashford and Canterbury.”
The councillors also expressed disappointment that these proposals were not discussed more broadly before being decided by the cabinet, noting the importance of considering the needs of vulnerable residents when introducing new technologies.
The council is expected to release further details on how Blue Badge holders can register to avoid being unfairly charged at the new ANPR-operated car parks. In the meantime, the trial will proceed, with officials assessing the effectiveness and public response to the system over the coming year.
