Mendip Tories back Parking Rises

'During their Cabinet meeting this Monday in Shepton Mallet, the Conservative administration at Mendip District Council gave the nod for yet another rise in the price of parking across the area.

In a bid to make more money from motorists, Mendip will raise prices by up to 12% in some places, with others getting 7% - nearly twice the rate of inflation. 

Cllr Claire Hudson, leader of the Lib Dem opposition at Mendip said 'We've been campaigning against this kind of thing for years now as we don't believe putting up parking charges is the answer to Mendip's financial problems. Members of the Cabinet kept saying 'it's in the best interest of the district' as if they had had this message drummed in to them. Well the Lib Dems don't think its in the best interest of the residents of the district who will have to pay more when they want to park in one of our towns.'

In disagreement with the move also was Cllr Helen Sprawson-White, Shadow portfolio holder for Regulatory Services who believes these charges will harm small businesses already struggling to survive. 'It doesn't take a genius to work out that this is the last thing local businesses need right now. Mendip District Council are ignoring their own priorities when they put short term gain ahead of peoples livelihoods. I welcome the last minute decision to delay the implementation until after Christmas - something I've discussed online and on the radio.'

Mendip Liberal Democrats presented a petition of nearly three-hundred names at the meeting along with data suggesting that over 90% of people online think charges are too high already. 

Cllr Hudson added 'Sadly the views of these residents counted for nothing.'