SIR - I read with horror the news that from November 1, blue badge holders will have to pay to park if they cannot find a designated space at Lister. I do not know where Lister get their figures from, I have certainly tried to park in a blue badge space f

SIR - I read with horror the news that from November 1, blue badge holders will have to pay to park if they cannot find a designated space at Lister.

I do not know where Lister get their figures from, I have certainly tried to park in a blue badge space for a lot longer than 10 minutes, on one occasion it took me 30 minutes to park and that was in an ordinary bay as the chances of getting in a disabled bay were nil.

I almost missed my appointment that time and if my blood pressure had been taken I am sure it would have been very high. I defy anyone to park in a disabled bay on clinic days without a long wait.

I agree there are not enough disabled bays at the moment, in fact there are not enough spaces of any description, as long as I can remember parking has been a big problem at Lister, with no sign of any improvement in the future. I have to go for treatment every eight weeks which lasts for three to four hours and blood tests every four weeks, it is disgusting that I will probably end up paying to park for what is essential outpatient treatment. Very rarely have I been able to park in a disabled bay in the past and the new ruling means I will have to leave home at 7am in order to find a space in a disabled bay.

Yet again the patients end up paying, it is hard enough coming to terms with a chronic illness and living with a reduced income without having to pay to park for treatment. Surely if blue badge holders have to park in ordinary bays on a regular basis as I have to, it shows there are not enough disabled bays but somehow I cannot see Lister providing more bays, why should they? It would reduce the extra income they are trying to squeeze from the most disadvantaged in society.

I have no argument with the medical care I have received and will continue having in future, the nurses and doctors have been first class and I could not wish for better, but the attitude of the management is very disappointing.

I hope Mr Farrington is successful in getting a judicial review, and if successful that the management at Lister will listen to all points of view instead of setting their sights on how they can get even more income from us.

JAN LEWIS

Hospital Road

Arlesey