DISABLED drivers are set to lose their free parking at council car parks in Bicester and Banbury.

Cherwell District Council is reviewing its parking system and plans to scrap free parking for disabled blue badge holders, increase the hourly rate for everyone by 10p to 70p an hour and introduce evening fees up to midnight in all its carparks.

It will also cut the remaining free parking on bank holidays, and bring Sunday charging in line with weekdays. Fines will also go up by £10 to £80 and the council plans to introduce a ‘premium charge’ of £100 for people who fail to pay a fine within the specified period.

Cherwell says the move is necessary because it is expecting to lose millions from its annual Government grant and the changes will generate up to £400,000.

But opposition councillors Les Sibley and Nick Cotter said the plans were “scandalous” and will lobby Cherwell’s executive to throw out the proposals.

Mr Sibley said: “Disabled people are probably on of the most vulnerable groups and are an easy target.

“It’s a money making policy for Cherwell. I think an attack like this on disabled people is a policy too far.”