WEST Dorset MP Oliver Letwin is working to help a disabled Lyme Regis pensioner to keep her mobility car.

Staples Terrace resident Nicole Godden, 64, fears she will lose her car when Dorset County Council (DCC) installs double yellow lines in the street as she will have nowhere to park it.

County councillors this month backed plans to introduce parking restrictions, despite concerns over the impact it would have on elderly and disabled residents at the Magna Housing Association complex.

The council intends to install double yellow lines, a 30-minute limited waiting bay outside Staples Stores, and one more disabled persons parking bay.

Pensioner Peter Pope, 65, lobbied the council on behalf of his friend Ms Godden, who is recovering from breast cancer and has severe arthritis.

Mr Pope met with Mr Letwin recently to talk about how the problem could be tackled.

Mr Pope said: “He has come and had a look at her particular problem and her garden fence could come down, some matting could be put down and a dropped kerb put in and that would solve it for her.

“He realised there is a problem and said he would write to both Dorset County Council and Magna Housing to suggest this.

“I’m extremely grateful that he came and listened. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I did feel at least he made the effort and he did appear to show some concern.”

Mr Pope said introducing the restrictions would only make matters worse for the residents and exacerbate relations with King’s Way residents.

Some King’s Way householders have created off-street parking at their properties, with access from Staples Terrace.

Mr Pope said: “She would sooner give up her car than have another conflict with the residents of King’s Way.”

Mr Letwin said: “I have written to Magna Housing Association to ask whether they could arrange for the front to have hard matting so that she could get a car in there and I have written to the county council to ask if they could put in a dropped kerb.

“It doesn’t sound to me like a great business to do this, a dropped kerb is not a terribly expensive thing to put in and the matting doesn’t cost much.”

Magna’s head of Housing Services, Elaine Crooke, said: “We are committed to working closely with Mrs Godden and other interested parties and we hope to find a solution that is suitable for everyone involved.”

No one from Dorset County Council was available for comment.