A DISABLED driver from Colne has lashed out at Lancashire County Council after his application for a parking space on his own street was rejected.

Albert Bradley, who struggles to walk even with the aid of crutches, had asked for a disabled parking bay outside his home in Brown Street East after waiting up to two hours at a time to find a spot.

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The county council said it could not offer disabled parking bays where residents’ parking schemes were already in operation – despite disabled bays being available in nearby Earl Street and Hall Street, which also have residents’ parking schemes.

Mr Bradley, 62, who has lived on the street for 30 years, claimed that the demand for residents’ parking permits outstripped the amount of spaces available.

He said: “I’m having severe problems getting a parking space.

“I gathered all the information they asked for from my doctor and occupation therapist to support my claim.

“I even took photos when it was packed and there were no spaces available. It was all disallowed.”

Daniel Herbert, head of highways at the county council, said: “We’ve considered Mr Bradley’s application for a disabled parking bay, but have refused it as there is already a residents’ only parking scheme on Brown Street East in Colne.

“We do not currently approve disabled parking bays where there are existing parking restrictions.”

Mr Bradley, who has a residents’ parking permit and a Blue Badge, had an accident at work 18 years ago which resulted in three damaged discs in his spine and a host of other injuries.

The former engineer is awaiting hip and knee replacements, and has turned to county councillors Dorothy Lord and Azhar Ali for help after the county council threw out his appeal.

He added: “I live alone and use the car to get to hospital. My daughter lives in Birtwistle Avenue and helps as much as she can, but she has three kids to look after.It is total discrimination. There are times where I have had to ask neighbours to move cars so I can get within 20 yards of my home, but I can’t do that all the time.

“It’s all rather depressing.”