A councillor says the removal of blue badge parking bays in Lichfield city centre is damaging the local economy.
The on-street spaces have been moved to nearby car parks as part of a pedestrianisation trial.
But the move has already drawn criticism with an online petition launched in a bid to get the disabled parking bays reinstated.
Burntwood Town Council member Cllr Kathy Coe MBE – who uses a wheelchair – said the pedestrianisation changes had left some visitors unable to access the city centre.
“Surely it is not beyond the understanding and capabilities of Lichfield District Council to protect the disabled parking spaces so that those people who are recognised as having mobility difficulties can access the city centre, can go shopping, meet up with friends for a coffee or a meal?
“After all, blue badge holders enjoy going out and socialising too.
“Trying to find a suitable parking space is a nightmare in Lichfield and I think it damages the local economy too as people become more reluctant to even try to park in a place that meets their needs.”
Cllr Kathy Coe, Burntwood Town Council
Cllr Coe, who has confirmed she will contest seats on both Burntwood Town Council and Lichfield District Council at the local elections in May, said many blue badge holders were being excluded from the city centre by the pedestrianisation changes.
“Eighteen months doesn’t sound so much like a trial period to me but a backdoor way of making it permanent.
“It will certainly be a trial for those of us who will effectively be shut out of the city centre for a year and a half.”
Cllr Kathy Coe, Burntwood Town Council
Lichfield District Council has previously said the trial was being introduced to “make the city centre more vibrant and attractive to visitors”.
