New parking rules have been announced for blue badge holders in Wiltshire.

From August 1, blue badge holders using car parks run by Wiltshire Council will be entitled to one extra hour of free parking.

This will be valid in any council-run pay and display car park, and will mean one hour of free parking in addition to the time already permitted on the pay and display ticket.

Drivers will need to display their blue badge on their dashboard as well as purchasing a valid parking ticket for this rule to apply.

The move comes after the council faced heavy backlash in April for making disabled drivers pay for a parking ticket at all.

“We have listened to feedback from disability groups in Wiltshire,” said leader of Wiltshire Council, councillor Richard Clewer.

“The idea is to account for the extra time disabled residents take both getting in and out of vehicles but also moving around our towns and city,” he added.

The new rule will apply to anyone with a blue badge travelling in Wiltshire, not just locals.

Signs informing drivers of this change will be placed within carparks from August, 1, 2023.

"Our goals are to have vibrant, well-connected communities and we hope that this change will enable blue badge holders to have a better experience while using our parking facilities,” said Coun Clewer.

Email your thoughts on these new parking changes to sarah.dalton@newsquest.co.uk