DISABLED drivers could be charged for parking in Southend if they do not live in the town.

Southend Council bosses are investigating whether it would be possible to introduce fees for blue badge holders who use the authority’s car parks.

But the rule would only apply to disabled drivers from outside the borough, hitting shoppers and tourists the hardest.

John Merrett, a 75-year-old former paratrooper, visits Southend three or four times a week from his home in east London.

He badly injured his back as a young man when his parachute failed to open and has held a blue badge ever since.

Mr Merrett said: “I do not like the way the disabled are messed about.

“Paying to park because I do not live in Southend is unfair.

“The rules for the disabled should be the same all over the UK, not another chance to make money.”

At the moment, drivers with a blue badge can park in any of the council’s car parks without having to stump up for a ticket.

They are also allowed to park on double or single yellow lines if it would not cause an obstruction to do so.

Tory council chiefs agreed to look into the possibility of charging for parking in car parks, but not street parking bays, after Independent councillor Mike Assenheim argued they should not be exempted.

Although many councils across the country allow blue badge holders to park in their car parks for free, it is not a requirement of the Government scheme.

However, Mr Assenheim said the exemption should be retained for Southend residents, but scrapped for disabled drivers who do not pay their taxes in the town.

Tony Cox, Tory councillor responsible for transport, agreed to ask officers to investigate whether it would be a good move to introduce charges in Southend.

He said: “All I can say at the moment is that it is something we have agreed to look into.

“No doubt, in due course the officers will return with something and we can take it from there.

“It does not commit us to anything at the moment.”