By LISA HERITAGE

A TOWN leader has slammed a suggestion to increase car-parking charges in Droitwich.

The criticism came after Wychavon's car park scrutiny report was unveiled last week.

Spa car parks were said to be of a high standard. But to enhance facilities further, councillors recommend Wychavon District Council make the public pay for them.

Peak times

One option is to introduce parking charges on Sundays and in the evenings. Although there is talk of just raising charges during peak times. Another option is to stop shoppers from parking in the short-stay car parks for longer than two hours.

But Liberal Democrat leader on Wychavon District Council, Cllr Margaret Rowley claimed this would bring less trade to the town. Cllr Rowley added: "It's completely the wrong time to increase charges especially with the new Waitrose superstore and the possible lido development. The public want to see more car parks not raised charges."

It has been estimated in the scrutiny team's report that if charging periods were extended to seven days a week, all day on short stay car parks the revenue generated would be at least £30,000.

Cllr Roy Seabourne (Lab-West) helped carry out the inspection:"I'm not against putting the charges up but I would be against the authority raising them then failing to use the extra revenue to enhance and maintain the town's car parks."

District council press officer Anne-Marie Darroch said: "The council's car parking charges are still considered lower than any other adjoining authority."

Margaret Rowley said: "Upping the car parking charges was just one of the options suggested. There was also the option of preventing people from parking for longer than two hours in the short stay car parks. But I believe this will bring less trade into the town."

The authority last put up charges in March 2002, generally by 10p per hour.