A disability group has decided not to take part in any form of consultation about parking charges for blue badge holders until the decision has been reconsidered by the council.

Epsom Access Group members, at a meeting with council officers on Thursday (March 25), have voted unanimously to “require the council to suspend blue badge payment plans” because “a formal consultation has not happened.”

They have called for the decision to be scrapped and the proposal to return to full council, only after formal consultation has been carried out.

Geoff Jelly, chairman of the Access Group, said: “Having made this stand against the appalling examples of what the council calls consultation, we now need other groups and individual people with disabilities and the public to call for a proper consultation process.”

After the meeting, a letter was sent to the chief executive of the council, Francis Rutter, to inform her of the decision made by the Access Group.

Mr Jelly slammed the council’s decision to consult with the group after the plans were given the green light at full council.

He said: “This isn't consultation. At best it's just a briefing on matters which have already been decided. Calling this consultation should insult the intelligence of every disabled person who uses borough car parks.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The chief executive has received a letter from the Epsom and Ewell Access Group. The council will consider the issues raised and will then respond to the group. Until then we are unable to comment further.”

In February, Residents’ Association councillors voted in favour of scrapping free parking for blue badge holders, in a series of swingeing budget cuts, despite opposition from disabled residents and groups, councillors and the MP for Epsom and Ewell, Chris Grayling.

The Epsom Guardian has since been appealing for councillors to change their minds and reverse their decision.

Now small businessmen from the area have also joined our campaign, in fear the decision may mean they will lose custom.

Epsom and Ewell Liberal Democrat councillors are also supporting our campaign by collecting signatures for a petition against the charges.

To sign the online petition, go to ipetitions.com/petition/bluebadge.

Are you supporting our campaign? Let us know on the comments box below