DISABLED drivers will get to have their say on proposed changes to controversial parking charges introduced earlier this year.

The City of Lincoln Council's executive board is set to launch another consultation over charges after deciding some concession for blue badge holders was needed.

The authority said this was to reflect the "additional time necessary" disabled motorists needed when using pay and display because of their restricted mobility. One option now being considered is for drivers to get an additional hour free for every hour purchased.

The deputy leader of the council, Councillor Marc Jones, said: "We are hopeful this will be well received, as part of our job is to listen to what people want. The only thing I regret is that it's taking time to do this, but we have to make sure it is done right.

"Now this decision has been made in principal, we will take the results of the consultation, discuss them at the next executive meeting then put everything forward to full council."

As previously reported in the Echo, bosses at City Hall were meeting to discuss whether to axe charges for disabled drivers, keep charges the same or change the rules to give a cost reprieve for blue badge holders.

One of the ideas recommended by officers from the authority was to give disabled drivers an additional 60 minutes put on to their ticket to give them extra time to complete their errands.

Another option to change disabled parking rules was for disabled motorists to have three hours free of charge each day.

The Lincoln Disability Forum will be consulted and their feedback from this latest consultation is set to be presented to the Executive Board at its next meeting on September 20.

The possibility of scrapping the charges completely was vetoed in the executive council meeting after reports warned the council could lose up to £100,000 in revenue.

Sarah Rose, 59, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, believes blue badge holders should not be charged anything to park.

She said: "It is standard all over the country that disabled people don't pay for parking.

"What is the point of having a disabled parking badge if you can't park for free in a disabled parking place? It's a joke."

The county's 18,000 blue badge holders had been able to enjoy free parking in all council-run car parks until April this year, when City Hall said it was hoping to generate some much-needed cash by implementing charges for disabled drivers.

The changes are being considered after the council agreed to re-consult following a challenge under judicial review by local cerebral palsy sufferer, Matt Smith.