A PETITION has been launched against the introduction of charges at free car parks in Link Top and Newtown Road.

Local shops are displaying the petition against the proposal by Malvern Hills District Council's recommendations to instal ticket machines.

The council is planning to charge 30p for up to one hour and £1 for over two hours every day, including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

But traders are worried that if they lose the free car parks, customers will stop using the shops.

Sharon Hodgkins of Hair, Health and Beauty in Newtown Road, said: "If people have to pay to park then they're going to go elsewhere."

The district council says the charges would cover losses incurred last year through closure of car parks due to flooding, a lack of charging at Waitrose and loss of income due to theft of machines.

But Mrs Hodgkins said local traders feel they are being unfairly persecuted because of problems in other areas.

"It's not our fault that they decided to hand over that car park to Waitrose," she said.

Traders are planning to lobby the the full council meeting on Tuesday (March 6).

Ward councillor David Williams said he was concerned that the charges would lead to congestion along Newtown Road.

"It's always chaos there and we should be looking for ways to get cars off the road," he said. "The only way the charges won't be introduced is if the council votes against it, but I think that's unlikely."

See Comment P14 and P16