Epsom and Ewell councillors defiantly stood by their “shameful” proposals to charge disabled motorists for parking as they gave their controversial plans the green light at a council meeting last night.

In the face of anger and fierce opposition from disability groups, councillors and Epsom and Ewell’s MP Chris Grayling, the Residents’ Association (RA) group voted in favour of proposals to implement parking charges in all council-run car parks for blue badge holders.

Geoff Jelly, chairman of the Epsom Access Group, said: “Following fierce debate, an RA Councillor (Keith Mann) tabled an amendment which effectively asks the Access Group to receive consultation on a matter already decided, namely the now confirmed introduction of blue badge parking charges.

“It is clear that the Access Group is now working within a hostile environment where RA Councillors are more than content to remove a legally-recognised adjustment designed to help disabled residents of the borough.

“This is nothing short of shameful. The Epsom and Ewell Access Group and other disability groups will continue to vigorously defend services.”

In a move designed to placate disability groups, councillors also added one extra hour free parking for blue badge holders to the proposals - but disabled residents said it was not enough.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Lees said: “It was disappointing that despite the many representations at full council the RAs continued with the decision to charge blue badge holders, especially in the light of other possible measures that could be considered, such at parking at Bourne Hall, which would mean not having to cut vital services to the disabled.”

RA councillors insisted the Epsom Access Group had been consulted before the plans, but still proposed an amendment to delay implementation of the charges to carry out formal consultation.

Conservative Councillor Sean Sullivan said: “This is an unpleasant budget targeting cuts at the most vulnerable in our community. This has all been done without consultation or compassion. Again the RAs are shown to be out of touch with the needs of our borough.”

Coun Leach said: “I believe it was the right decision. It will serve to regulate our position regarding car parks and we are still meeting the needs of disabled people in the borough.”