THE misuse of blue badge parking spaces has reached crisis point in Redhill and Reigate, say disabled residents and their families.

They say there are too few spaces for disabled drivers or people driving the disabled around.

And this, combined with able-bodied drivers taking spaces allocated for blue badge holders, means disabled people are often left unable to park.

Phil Wheeler, 74, of The Tannery, Oakdene Road, Redhill, spends time looking after his granddaughter Vickie, 23.

He told the Mirror: "The biggest problem I have is with the Memorial Park car park in Redhill. All the blue badge bays are full up with people who shouldn't be parking there – they get there in the morning and stay there all day.

"My granddaughter Vickie has a specially adapted bike which fits into the car. She's got special needs – she can't go out on her own or speak properly, but she loves riding that bike. It's heart-breaking when we pull up and can't get out. It's pretty disgusting. I want it stopped. Give them tickets. It won't take long for them to get the idea."

Volunteers and visitors at The Hub, a drop-in disability advice shop run largely by disabled volunteers in Redhill High Street, said the problem was widespread across East Surrey. Volunteer Jenny Fookes, 48, of Cromwell Walk, Redhill, said: "I've got a disabled bay outside my house and people often park in it without a blue badge. I've phoned the council for help and they have done nothing. I've given up."

Project co-ordinator Sarah Lynch added: "You get lorries parking in disabled bays in Reigate High Street to unload but nothing is done, but if a blue badge holder has nowhere else to park because of this and stops in a loading bay they get a ticket.

"All we're asking for is for the council to take action and make sure these vital spaces are used only by people who need them."

A Reigate and Banstead Borough Council spokesman said: "We do not allow lorry drivers to park in disabled bays when unloading. Our civil enforcement officers can only issue a ticket as and when they see someone parked illegally.

"We are aware of the issue of people parking in Memorial Park all day. We plan to introduce parking enforcements there as soon as we can in the near future."