Parking charges hike under fire (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Parking charges hike under fire

8:07am Saturday 2nd December 2006 in Chard By Alex Cameron

A PROPOSED increase in parking charges in Chard has been opposed by town councillors.

At last week's meeting of the council, members agreed to object to plans put forward by public car park operator South Somerset District Council.

As reported, the district council is proposing to increase charges in all of Chard's car parks and is expected to rubber stamp its plans in January.

Proposing a motion to express the town council's opposition, Conservative deputy mayor Martin Wale said parking in places like Wincanton was free, while in Chard, people had to pay.

He also said the LibDem administration at the district council had spent £50,000 on a car parking strategy carried out by a consultancy firm owned by National Car Parks.

He said: "I strongly oppose increases which will have a direct effect on shops and businesses.

"My view is that there should be a free period of half an hour or an hour but there is no mention of free periods in the report.

"I also consider it would not be impossible for this town council to run its own parking - there's been a lot of talk lately about local democracy and here's an opportunity for something to be done about it."

Cllr Cathie Morrison said: "If they are going to increase car parking charges, local residents will end up with horrendous parking problems around their houses. I don't think it's the right time."

Cllr Wale also won support from independent councillor Dave Bulmer but Cllr Bulmer disagreed with the idea of the town council running the parking.

The district council's strategy also suggests the possibility of decked parking at Crowshute car park, an idea that received a universal thumbs down from town councillors at the meeting.

Cllr Phil Fitzgerald asked who had made the decision to pay £50,000 for the report.

Cllr Wale said he thought the decision had been taken by the district's executive board.

The council voted to pass the following resolution: "That this council opposes the district council's proposals on changes to car parking charges on the grounds of the detrimental effect these would have on the economy of Chard."