DISABLED parking arrangements in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable have been changed following widespread consultation between the council and disabled access groups.

All city council-owned car parks in the district with time limited restrictions have been affected by the changes.

Those people who use disabled badges may use car parks with pay and display machines for free for the first three hours, but extra time must now be paid for. On-street parking bays will also be limited to three hours free time.

The Canterbury and District Access Group and the Disabled Drivers Association brought up the issue of car parking for disabled persons at a council parking review.

The changes were implemented on April 1, although disabled people will not be required to pay in car parks where there is unsatisfactory access to ticket machines. The city council will be looking to improve ticket machine access.

On the whole, the changes have been supported, but there has been some opposition to the new arrangements from the Whitstable and Herne Bay access group Independence and Access Matters.

Francoise Montford, the group's chairman, said: "We are concerned that those unable to afford this additional cost on disability will park in less safe areas. Further, those with severe mobility problems will need to negotiate traffic areas while obtaining tickets."

The city council, however, is satisfied that the official organisations representing disabled persons in Canterbury and the district are supportive and in agreement with the changes.

In line with guidelines from the Department of Transport, the council also plans to increase the number of allocated parking bays for disabled people in the district and will be making the lines between bays clearer.

The city council says the changes have come about due to people abusing the blue badge scheme. A spokesman said: "The national policy is to charge after three hours so we are bringing Canterbury into line with that."