Blue Badge holders could lose right to park all day at no charge in Arun car parks
Blue Badge holders could lose their right to park without charge all day in Arun District Council car parks under proposals due to be considered by councillors.
The economy committee will be asked to approve a public consultation on plans to limit free parking for Blue Badge holders to three hours, after which normal parking charges would apply.
The proposal is part of a wider review of annual parking tariffs which will be discussed at the committee’s next meeting on Thursday, November 26.
Currently, Blue Badge holders can park for free in designated disabled bays, or in other spaces if those bays are full, provided they display a valid badge.
The review says the proposed change would bring the council’s rules closer to those used in neighbouring towns, including Worthing, and help make disabled parking spaces available to more people.
The document highlights the rise in Blue Badge use, with the number of valid badges in West Sussex rising from around 38,000 in March 2023 to 44,000 in 2024.
However, West Sussex County Council has raised concerns that limiting free parking to three hours could see some disabled users park on surrounding streets instead.
Council officers have also recommended a 3% increase in parking charges from April 2027, which is estimated to bring in an additional £121,032 a year.
The committee will be asked to consider four different options for parking charges, with 3% being the officers’ preferred option.
Another proposal would see overnight parking charges introduced at council car parks where possible, generating an additional £110,823 a year.
The council is also considering replacing the existing free two hour parking period at West Park in Bognor Regis with a charge. The car park recorded more than 20,000 parking stays during 2025/26 and this change could bring in around £40,028 a year.
The report states: “The proposed charge for parking stays of up to two hours would remain lower than the equivalent tariff offered within the council’s seasonal and town centre car parks, ensuring that West Park continues to provide an affordable short-stay parking option.”
Councillors will also be asked to approve the renaming of three car parks: West Beach to Rope Walk, River Road in Arundel to Riverside and Hothamton to Queensway.
If approved, the proposed parking charge changes and overnight fees would come into effect from April 1, 2027. The outcome of the Blue Badge consultation would be considered separately before any changes are made to the policy.