A DISABLED group claims Dartford Council has taken a backward step in the way it treats disabled people.

This follows the council's decision to limit waiting times in disabled driver parking bays to three hours.

Councillors imposed the restriction after discovering disabled drivers were leaving the cars in bays all day and the council has spent £1,000 on new signs warning of the maximum stay time.

Gravesend-based Dial North West Kent, which offers free advice on all disabled issues, criticised the decision.

Welfare rights advisor Carol Webster said: "This policy flies in the face of the Disability Discrimination Act, by making it more difficult for disabled people to access facilities in Dartford.

"If you work all day in Dartford, where are you meant to park if your employer doesn't have designated parking bays?"

"What does the council propose disabled people should do, who want to stay for more than three hours in order to work?"

But a Dartford Council spokesman hit back saying it was "unrealistic" to expect the council to provide unlimited parking.

"This would severely limit spaces for disabled people who wish to visit for a few hours. Dartford has made positive provision for short-term disabled parking within the town centre.

"All car parks and on-street pay-and-display bays are available to disabled drivers for up to three hours free."

December 7, 2001 15:57