We’ll fight on
ANGRY councillors have vowed to fight to the end proposals to increase car parking charges. They are annoyed that North Herts District Council s plans to raise car parking charges across Royston – and want the issue re-examined. The Conservative council
ANGRY councillors have vowed to "fight to the end" proposals to increase car parking charges.
They are annoyed that North Herts District Council's plans to raise car parking charges across Royston - and want the issue re-examined.
The Conservative councillors - who are opposed to proposals from their own administration - believe an increase would ruin the viability of the town centre.
But they have been told that there is no evidence of a link between declining High Street trade and car parking charges.
Cllr Fiona Hill, chairman of the district council's Royston area committee, said during the start of a campaign on Saturday morning in the town hall car park, that Royston should be treated as a special case.
The district council has supported a budget which called for an increase of £62,000 in car parking charges over the next 12 months.
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Cllr Hill said: "We are determined to fight to the end and oppose any car parking charge increases all the way. We're not going to back down on this issue."
District councillors Fiona Hill, Tony Hunter and Howard Marshall were joined on Saturday morning by ex-Royston district councillor Bill Davidson and Royston town councillors Mike Harrison, Philip Mayne and Lyndsey Davidson.
They distributed a campaign leaflet to motorists parking at the town hall car park at the Somerfield car park in Princes Mews.
Cllr Hunter said: "We have to stop these increases."
In the leaflet the group are urging people to stop using the car parks. "We must force the council to reconsider and the best way of making them listen is to refuse to pay the increased car parking charges."
The issue will be raised when the Royston area committee meets next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, figures show that income from car parking charges in Royston has dropped over recent years. In 2001-02 the income was £219,859 and in 2002-03 it was £226,527.
The figures for 2004-05 show an income of £192,899 while an estimated income for the next 12 months is seen at about £262,771.
