BLUE Badge rules across the Dorset Council area are to be made the same, although critics say the proposed two-tier system could lead to confusions.

Council proposals seek to end minor differences between former council areas – with some council car parks currently offering free parking for disabled drivers and others requiring payment.

There is also a hybrid where if Blue Badge drivers pay the minimum charge they also get an hour’s free parking.

Across Dorset there are around 25,000 residents who have the nationally recognised Blue Badge.

Councillors will this week consider a new policy which allows up to three hours free parking for Blue Badge holders who also have a Restricted Mobility Parking Permit and one hour of additional parking to all Blue Badge holders when a valid minimum pay and display ticket is bought.

Consultation about the changes saw a six-week survey attracting just over 1,500 responses. The highest-ranking option was for three-hours of free parking with a 35% vote.

A report to a place and resources committee meeting to be held this Thursday, February 10 says: “Feedback from the discussion groups proved that the proposed policy is generally considered to be fair and does meet the needs of Blue Badge holders.”

With the three hour free parking already available across most of the area the changes are not thought to have an significant impacts on overall car park income – but will mean each council car park having the same rules. Those visiting from other areas of the UK will also benefit from the scheme as they will be eligible for 1-hour additional parking.

Some town councils told Dorset Council that they believed the new policy with two levels of concession was too complicated and would cause confusion. Shaftesbury town council said the 3 hours free parking should be extended to all Blue Badge Holders and not restricted to just those qualifying for the Restricted Mobility Parking Permit (RMPP).

Dorchester town council said the cost of the Dorset Council’s RMPP at £15, compared unfavourably, to a UK Blue Badge at under £3.50 a year.

The permit is only open to local applicants who have a Blue Badge and are in receipt of certain benefits or payments and has to be displayed with the Blue Badge in order to receive three hours free parking. It is valid in any parking bay.

Current Blue Badge holder car parking charges vary depending on previous district and borough offers.

These are: Blue Badge holders in east Dorset can apply for a Disabled Parking Exemption Permit if certain qualifying criteria is met. Alternatively, standard pay and display parking charges apply.

In West Dorset, Blue Badge holders who receive certain allowances can apply for a free parking permit which will allow three hours free parking in any car parking bay. Alternatively, standard pay and display parking charges apply, but one extra hour’s free parking is given on top of the tariff paid when displaying a Blue Badge.

In the Purbeck area, Blue Badge holders can park for free for up to three hours with the display of their badge and correctly set clock. However, standard pay and display parking charges apply in Corfe Castle and at Purbeck Park.Standard pay and display parking charges currently apply to Blue Badge holders in North Dorset and in Weymouth and Portland, but one extra hour’s free parking is given on top of the tariff paid when displaying a Blue Badge.