A MOTORING disability charity has described Borough of Poole's proposals to introduce paid parking permits for some disabled drivers as "confusing" and "unfair."

Last month the Daily Echo reported how disabled drivers were being consulted on changes to their free parking concessions.

Disabled Tax Exempt Vehicle (DTEV) holders in Poole were consulted on three options: a one year permit for £25, a three year permit for £60, or paying for a parking ticket each time they park.

Previously they have been able to park in council car parks for free.

That consultation has since finished, the results are set to be analysed and a report will be written for consideration by members of BOP's transport advisory group next month, explained a council spokesman.

However, Duncan Slater, of Disabled Motoring UK, says the paid permit scheme is unfairly targeting disabled drivers.

"Disabled drivers don't need this service," he said.

"If you have a car that is classed as disabled tax exempt, it is already on the DVLA database.

"Those with cars in this classification usually have a Blue Badge, so this council is making something for £25 a year that simply is not required. It is confusing and unfair."

Borough officials say the permits became necessary after the DVLA withdrew paper tax discs in 2014. Apparently, this led to some drivers of DTEV vehicles, that were not part of the Blue Badge Scheme, being wrongly issued with parking tickets by wardens no longer able to tell if they were eligible to park for free.

To overcome these difficulties a database needed to be established locally, said the council, but this and the associated enforcement action was likely to cost £60,000 this financial year.

Disabled motorist Kelvin Trevett described the permit issue as "a complete mess".

BOP transportation cabinet member Cllr Drew Mellor said: "For many years we have been able to offer free parking in all our pay and display car parks for vehicles which are Disability Tax Exempt. Due to changes by the DVLA, information on such vehicles is no longer freely available.

"In addition it is no longer possible for us to financially support all the services and concessions that we would like. Therefore, the council has looked at options to make this concession cost neutral, and would only be making a charge to cover our costs for administering this service."

If any permit changes are agreed by the council, they are unlikely to be implemented until after May, the Echo understands.