A BATTLING campaigner has been promised a response from council officials after submitted a petition of more than 1,200 signatures opposing new disabled parking arrangements in Kendal.

Shirley Alker, 87, who is herself a Blue Badge holder, drew up the petition after Cumbria County Council confirmed that they planned to remove the disabled bays on Finkle Street and in Market Square.

Instead, disabled drivers will have access to ‘dual-use’ bays set aside for both loading and disabled parking on Highgate and Stricklandgate between 11am and 4pm.

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Ms Alker has argued that the new arrangements are unsuitable and effectively treat the disabled as "second class citizens," and had made life difficult for disabled people trying to access shops in Kendal town centre.

A trial period for the new arrangements began in early September and a council spokesperson said a review would follow early in the New Year and they would respond to Ms Alker's petition as part of the review.

“The temporary Traffic Regulation Order is for 18 months, although the council will aim to review feedback on the effects of the temporary order after approximately six months," said the CCC spokesperson in a statement.

"Depending upon the outcome of the review, a decision regarding future parking arrangements will be made by Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for South Lakeland.

"The council has received the petition and will respond to it as part of the six month review.”

Despite being limited in mobility herself, Ms Alker has been tireless in organising the petition, contacting friends and visiting churches and other local community groups, and has received a huge response with 1,253 people signing.

The petition was delivered to Cumbria County Council officials in Kendal last week and she is currently awaiting the response before deciding on her next move.

Ms Alker has been monitoring the trial period and said she has noticed some Blue Badge holders still parking in the Finkle Street and Market Square disabled spaces, and has concerns there is confusion over the new arrangements despite new signage now being in place.