A grandad has said elderly and disabled people are “not wanted” in Watford town centre after eight blue badge parking spaces have been removed.

John Bacon, 78, said the town centre is becoming less accessible for them and fears how the intu development - a 1.4 million sq ft retail and leisure complex – will impact it.

The retired confectionary consultant, who has lived in Watford for almost a decade, said the situation has been getting worse in the last two years and has become “absolutely appalling” in the past three months.

He said: “I now feel as though Watford doesn’t want us here.

“The council are taking away so much parking – they just don’t care though. It seems to me they are pushing people out the town centre, especially disabled and old people.

“The blue badge places have been replaced with a dangerous cycle lane that you never see anybody use. Dorothy Thornhill says this is all part of making the town cycle-friendly – it seems to me it’s only making the situation worse for blue badge holders.”

In emails addressed to Mayor Thornhill, Mr Bacon has urged her to stop reducing the number of disabled parking spaces.

He said: “It is abundantly clear that you and your colleagues have absolutely no idea what you are doing with the High Street.

“I have previously commented to you about the removal of blue badge parking yet no-one appears to care.

“It is frankly appalling, disgusting and totally thoughtless and is introduced regardless of the inconvenience it causes to many.”

Mr Bacon said he is hoping a coach company will arrange to take elderly and disabled people to Brent Cross to do their shopping.

A wheelchair-bound mother, who wants to remain anonymous, also said she feels the centre is becoming more “unfriendly” to disabled people and increasingly difficult to shop in.

She said: “This appears to be a concerted effort by the council to make it so difficult for disabled people to shop in Watford that they will stop trying. Is this an active policy?

“It appears that Watford council have shown total disregard for the disabled.”

Over the last five years, eight disabled parking spaces have been removed to make way for cycle lanes and a footpath.

And some areas, where blue badge holders could previously park, have been turned into bus stops.

Disability Watford are carrying out a survey to see what disabled people from Watford want in the town centre.

The findings will be presented to Watford Borough Council in October.

Chairman Leigh Hutchings said: “For the amount of shops in the town centre there really isn’t enough parking, never mind for blue badge holders.

“We know there’s more disabled spaces in the multi-storey car parks around town but many people feel vulnerable in these, no matter how much lighting and CCTV are in them.

Mayor Thornhill said: “We regret the loss of blue badge spaces of course, but blue badge holders can actually park anywhere. They can park on yellow lines, they can park in pay and displays, all for free, and of course they have priority spaces in all our car parks.

“We are trying to improve the environment in the town centre for everyone.”

Watford Borough Council has said they are currently reviewing the situation and are looking at an overall parking strategy.

Marie Parsons, on behalf of Watford Borough Council, said: “In order to try and mitigate the loss of blue badge parking, the council is currently reviewing parking in the town centre.

“We appreciate that the area is very confined with many user groups wishing to access it, including blue badge holders, delivery vehicles for the shops, taxis, buses, cyclists and pedestrians.”