As a holder of a blue badge, I have found that the new harsh no parking rules from Blenheim Road right down to the pedestrian crossing on the left going down The Avenue in Minehead have completely restricted any independence I had.

I can no longer take in jewellery or shoe repairs, or call at the building society, or patronise any of the shops like Iceland, Sally’s cafe, the pound shop, or call into the Regal Theatre to buy tickets.

Neither can I attend any weekday or Saturday activities at the old hospital or the Methodist church.

It is too far to walk from the car park.

Whilst I understand that there should be restrictions opposite the bus stop, I cannot see the reason for such harsh limits along the whole stretch.

It seems to me that the restrictions could be for rush hour only, say 8-11am and 3-6 pm ie at school and work arrival and finishing times.

This would leave a slot across the middle of the day when disabled badge holders could park, even for a limited time such as an hour, rather than three.

I have written to the council to this effect and appeal to other disabled people who are upset as I am at being unable to use this area of town to also write and campaign for a reconsideration of the harsh new parking rules.

Name and address supplied.