ALMOST 9000 people have signed a petition against Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) plans to introduce car parking charges on St Thomas Green and Rifleman Field in Haverfordwest.

A delegation including Town Mayor Councillor Roy Thomas, Sheriff Cllr Ellen Repton, Castle Ward County Councillor Tom Tudor and members of the action group behind the petition presented the weighty document to Cllr Rob Lewis, PCC Cabinet Spokesperson for Transportation and Major Events, at County Hall last week.

8641 signatures were in the box. A further 252 people expressed their opposition to the plan on-line.

“The response to this petition has been absolutely superb,” said the Mayor. “I can’t thank the action group enough. They’ve worked really hard so we can show the County Council people do not want these charges. Cllr Tudor’s support has also been invaluable.”

Cllr Tudor said traders and residents working and living in the St Thomas Green area felt the charges would be detrimental to Haverfordwest. The move would also affect visitors to that part of the county town.

“If these charges are introduced, it will put people off visiting shops at the top of town,” Cllr Tudor said. “Residents with more than one car would have to buy a permit, which could work out as being expensive. The car parks also serve two GP surgeries. People shouldn’t have to pay to visit their doctor, and it can be hard to gauge how long appointments can take.”

Rosalie Stephens, who live on St Thomas Green, said everyone she knew was “very upset” by PCC’s proposal.

“It would affect so many people,” she said. “We need to keep the car parking free.”

Cllr Lewis told the delegation he would deliver the petition to the Scrutiny Committee considering the proposals.

“Car parking charges always raise interest,” he said. “I’ve sent the matter to Scrutiny Committee so it can be looked at further.”