Cornwall Councillors voted unanimously yesterday to keep the new reduced fee of £350 for providing residential disabled parking bays in Cornwall.

They endorsed the work being undertaken with disability groups to ensure that Cornwall remains in step with other local authorities when setting the charges for providing disabled parking bays in the future.

The reduced charge of £350 for residential disabled parking bays has already been implemented across Cornwall following consultation with disability groups. Thirty-six new applications have been received since the fee was changed.

The measure was proposed after a national controversy sparked when a woman in St Austell was charged £3,800 to place a disabled parking bay outside her home.

Four applicants who have recently been charged more than the £350 charge will be refunded the excess as soon as possible.