War declared on parking charges (From Western Telegraph)

War declared on parking charges

11:00am Thursday 1st October 2009 in News By Nichole Sarra

Retailers and councillors have vowed to campaign and fight against new car parking charges in Milford Haven until the bitter end.

The reaction follows the special meeting at County Hall on Friday of the environment overview and scrutiny committee which spent four hours debating the emotive issue.

A majority vote saw the statutory process activated resulting in a further and wider consultation period into the new car parking charges.

If passed new parking charges would be introduced in Robert Street, Charles Street and Market Square at a rate of 10p an hour.

Reporting back to Milford’s full council on Monday night Councillor Rhys Sinnett said now was the time to make the town’s voice heard. “These charges could be catastrophic on our fragile local retail economy.

“We have a chance now to make our voices heard,” said Cllr Sinnett.

"These proposals could be catastrophic to our fragile local retail economy"

He said he would welcome a campaign against the parking charges by the town’s Business Circle and the continued protest from the town council.

Cllr John Cole said: “We need to emphasise we are totally against charges of any kind.”

Milford Haven Mayor councillor Tony Eden said the charges were not a workable proposition.

“People feel very passionately against this additional financial burden for visitors and residents.

“We will fight it to the bitter end.”

The town council agreed to support the Business Circle in any campaign and to continue to voice its protest against the introduction of any car parking charges in the town.

Chairman of Milford Haven Business Circle Vivian Phillips said the organisation would be protesting against the charges by letter and also looking into options such as petitions as part of its campaign.

Mrs Phillips said the charges would make it ‘very difficult’ for retailers in the town and particularly Charles Street.

“Many retailers rely on the stop and shop trade, which would all but disappear if these charges came into force.”

Mrs Phillips said the Circle would put together its campaign strategy after a meeting later this month and vowed to fight against the introduction of the parking charges all the way