RAF veteran hits out at Blue Badge parking charges

AN ex-RAF veteran has hit out at the car parking charges that have been introduced for Blue Badge holders by Wiltshire Council.

Dale McGleenon was medically discharged from the RAF Police in 2020 with severe and chronic PTSD and he says the recent decision to charge Blue Badge holders “really does stink”.

“I am a blue badge holder now because it offers me an ability to actually leave the house with my wife and be able to experience some small normality of life,” he said.

“But I’m disgusted with Wiltshire Council’s decision to charge for parking for Blue Badge holders. It’s penalising the people who need help the most.

“I’m lucky as the financial side doesn’t affect me personally, but it will affect a lot of people who are in a difficult position where they might not be able to work for no fault of their own and where money is very tight. They are already making decisions about whether to eat or heat, and now they have to pay for parking on top of that.

Served country for 22 years

“I served this country for 22 years and in many parts of the world – Kuwait, Iraq, Falkland Islands, N. Ireland and Germany with NATO – and didn’t expect to see people treated like this.

“It’s difficult to understand what the council are thinking about except to make money, but this is penalising people who need help the most.”

Wiltshire Council introduced the charges for Blue Badge holders in September, a move that was widely condemned.

Charging for badges ‘stinks’

“Charging Blue Badges holders really does stink,” added Dale.

“It all adds to the stress. People need a parking space and it’s the only chance to get out of the house for a lot of people.

“The whole idea of the badges is to make things easier. And it’s not like they give the badges out to just anyone; you have to go through quite a process just to get one, which you have to pay for anyway, because they don’t give them out for free.

“There’s also a difficulty about getting a parking ticket; you have the hassle of going and getting a ticket; the machines are not designed for people in wheelchairs or who have problem with downloading Apps.

“That’s not even the most annoying part; the council have sent someone out to put double yellow lines on the curbs everywhere so you can’t pop into a shop quickly; you have to go to the car park and pay.

“It all means just another big obstacle, stopping people getting out of the house.”