A councillor has apologised for the "worry and anxiety" caused by a public survey into free parking for disabled people.
Councillor Martin Bottoms was speaking after criticism over why a public consultation was launched into the future of unrestricted free parking for Blue Badge holders in council car parks.
Lancaster MP Cat Smith and Labour councillor Joanne Ainscough said questions needed asking of the Green-led Lancaster City Council cabinet's decision to launch the survey earlier this month.
The council had asked the public for their views on four options - continuing unrestricted and free Blue Badge parking in council pay and display car parks; changing to three hours' free parking for Blue Badge holders with normal parking charges applying thereafter; holders paying normal parking charges but receive one extra hour of parking free of charge; or the complete removal of the parking concession scheme.
A total of 1,870 people replied to the survey, which the council said was an "overwhelming response", with three quarters of people saying they wanted no change to parking arrangements for Blue Badge holders.
As a result, the council announced on Tuesday that free unrestricted parking will continue in their car parks across the District.
Councillor Bottoms (below), Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy, and a Green, said on Friday:
"It’s clear that we got things wrong with the Blue Badge consultation and I can only apologise for the worry and anxiety that it caused.
“I hope we have restored some confidence by reacting quickly to the public response and announcing that no changes will be made, but we must do better in future.
"That’s why we have committed to reviewing the council’s consultation policy so we can make sure we learn from this experience, examine what went wrong, and ensure it does not happen again.”
Earlier this week, tensions rose between the Greens and Labour over the issue.
A Green councillor criticised Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster & Wyre, saying she'd caused "unnecessary anxiety" to residents by delivering leaflets door-to-door "implying free parking was to be axed".
The local Labour group had launched an online petition 'Save free Blue Badge parking in the Lancaster District' after the consultation was announced.
Ms Smith said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve won this campaign and that free and unrestricted parking for Blue Badge holders will remain in place across Lancaster City Council’s car parks.
Cat Smith MP with local Blue Badge holder Alan. Photo credit: Cat Smith
“This is a victory for common sense, but it should never have taken such a huge campaign to protect something so important. I want to say a massive thank you to the hundreds of residents who signed my petition, responded to the council’s consultation and shared their experiences with me. Your voices made a real difference, and this result shows what we can achieve when our community comes together.
“Blue Badge holders need accessible parking that recognises the additional time and support many disabled people require to get out of their cars, access services and go about their daily lives. Removing free and unrestricted parking would have placed another unnecessary barrier in their way.
“It would also have risked making Lancaster a less welcoming place for disabled visitors and families, with consequences for our city centre shops and businesses.
“I’m pleased the council has listened and confirmed that the existing arrangements will stay. However, there are still questions about why these proposals were brought forward in the first place, particularly when they threatened removing a concession that makes such a practical difference to people’s independence and accessibility.
“But most importantly, we've won this fight, thanks to everyone who stood up for Blue Badge holders.”
But Councillor Abi Mills of the Greens, disability champion on Lancaster City Council, said: "It was disappointing to see our MPs misrepresenting the situation and causing additional worry to residents.
Councillor Abi Mills
"It is good to be able make it clear that it was a consultation and that the city council takes note of what our community says."
And her colleague Councillor Gina Dowding said: "Cat Smith MP set up a petition and delivered leaflets door to door implying the free parking was to be axed. Public consultations should be an opportunity for communities to have their say, not a source of unnecessary anxiety.
“I am sure it would be welcomed if our local MPs were to bring the same energy to discussions about free parking with other councils within their constituencies, where blue badge parking arrangements are more restrictive.”
But Councillor Joanne Ainscough, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Member for Environmental, Food and Wellbeing, hit back, calling for "clarification of who authorised the consultation, how the options were developed, what involvement cabinet members had, and whether the council’s Disability Champion and relevant disability organisations were consulted before its launch".
Councillor Joanne Ainscough
“I’m delighted that free and unrestricted parking will remain," said Councillor Ainscough.
"It’s an essential concession for many disabled residents, and the council has rightly listened to the strength of public feeling.
“But whilst we welcome the outcome, we still need to understand how we got here.
“Who decided that removing or restricting free Blue Badge parking should be considered in the first place? What evidence supported those options, and what engagement took place with disabled residents and organisations before the consultation was launched?"
Beyond Radio contacted Lancaster City Council for a response and received the comment from Councillor Bottoms.
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