THERE is one simple and practical reason why Bolton Council should not charge blue badge holders for parking in municipal car parks.

Admittedly, the blue car scheme is open to abuse, there is no way of stopping this, but under the present legislation, blue card holders are allowed to park freely on any double yellow line where no loading or unloading restrictions are imposed.

If Bolton Council starts charging them for using car park spaces, there is a strong possibility that numbers of them will instead park kerbside, causing additional obstruction to the flow of vehicles along main roads.

They are legally entitled to do so, but it makes more sense to give them free parking off-street, where they will cause less obstruction.

Peter Johnston, Kendal Road, Bolton