A PETITION has been launched to reverse new increased parking charges in Leominster.

Since February 1, motorists using Broad Street car park can no longer pay £1 for up to four hours and instead will have to pay £2.50 for up to 24 hours.

Although the town has been given some respite – it is now free to park after 6pm once again – some residents fear the daytime hike could 'kill the town'.

Clare Fulloway, who lives out of town near to Buckfield Road, has launched a petition calling for the four-hour parking charge to be reinstated.

She said: "The Broad Street car park is the only one I have an issue with. If you go to work then great, that's reasonable, but if you're taking children to Brownies at the Community Centre you can't just drop them at the door, you have to park.

"Parents will have to pay £2.50 to take their children to these kinds of clubs now.

"There are people that have said they don't shop in Leominster anymore because it's too expensive. It's cheaper to park in Worcester than Hereford and Leominster."

Mrs Fulloway said the increase of 150 per cent will leave people using the Community Centre, which is also where the town's food larder is located, struggling to find the extra cash.

People using the nearby Priory Church would also be affected, including those attending funerals.

"It will put off people from coming into the town, I'm certain of it," she said.

"The town took a hit when the charges were introduced in the first place, this can only make it worse."

Under the new scheme, motorists will now pay £1 for up to one hour at the Central car park and £1.50 for up to two hours which is now the maximum stay.

Previously the area allowed people to stay for up to four hours for £2.10.

Etnam Street car park remains at £1.50 for four hours but has been increased on an hourly basis, while Dishley Street will now also cost £2.50 for up to 24 hours.

One suggestion put forward by Wayne Harris, owner of Shooters Bar in Burgess Street, is for free weekend parking in the town.

He said: "Our business has suffered massively since the council introduced late night charges, when they went until 10pm.

"If the council could introduce free weekend parking Leominster's economy could only improve and maybe businesses may thrive like they did before parking charges were introduced."

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