Now you have to pay on a Sunday

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th Sep 2009

In August, the Borough Council gave notice that free parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays, including Christmas Day, would end and charges would be introduced.

Upset by this, the Liberal Democrat group forced the council to review the decision. A committee of councillors were unanimous in throwing back the decision to the Council's cabinet, upset by the the adverse affect on trade in the Old Town shops and those worshiping on a Sunday. Finally it is unlikely to generate enough income due to the lower use of car parks on a Sunday.

Unfortunately the Tory-run Cabinet ignored pleas from back bench councillors and pressed ahead.

Cllr Lloyd Harris said "I was glad when this decision was sent back in tatters. If it was implemented as proposed local shops, restaurants and cafes would suffer as people abandon them for the free parking at supermarkets and retail parks."

He added "I was shocked when the cabinet ignored criticism and ploughed on regardless, especially when sensible alternatives that would have generated more car park income were dismissed in favour of this flawed scheme".