Disability campaigner welcomes parking fees U-turn

A disability campaigner has welcomed the decision to scrap plans to introduce parking charges for both Blue Badge holders and visitors to country parks.

West Northamptonshire Council announced on Wednesday it would retain free parking for Blue Badge holders or those visiting Northampton's parks including Hunsbury Hill Country Park, West Hunsbury Country Park and the Racecourse.

The decision follows a second public consultation, in which more than 660 people shared their views before the council finalised its plans.

Nick Wilson, who is known as The Disabled Adventurer and lives in Towcester, said he was "genuinely relieved" by the move.

"We need to be removing barriers to people getting outdoors and accessing the High Street, not putting more up," said the campaigner.

Wilson said he felt the decision was also important for Northamptonshire's economy as free Blue Badge parking helped attract disabled visitors.

"Blue Badge parking doesn't solely impact our residents, it also influences accessible tourism, which can benefit our local economy," he said.

"Keeping free Blue Badge parking sends exactly the right message: Northamptonshire is a place that wants and welcomes disabled people and their families here, not just tolerates them," he said.

In February, the council announced it had reversed plans to remove free parking in Brackley, Towcester and Daventry after more than 3,000 responses to its first consultation.

The local authority proposed the changes as part of its 2026-27 budget.

But it has said it will still revise fees at several other sites in Northampton.

These include Albion Place, Campbell Square, Midsummer Meadow, The Ridings, St John's multi-storey, Upper Mounts, Wellington Street, Claret and Sixfields Reservoir car parks.

People will also now have to pay to park at these sites at weekends and on bank holidays.

The changes will come into force on 1 August.

Mark Arnull, leader of Reform UK-led West Northamptonshire Council, said: "It was apparent there were concerns around introducing new charges for Blue Badge holders and at country parks in the Northampton area, so we have acted upon that."

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