Car Parks - Tory cabinet do another U-turn

7.05.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Sep 2004

You can smell the rubber as the Tories reverse policy again

The prospect of a last-minute reprieve on car parking charges was dashed at the latest Cabinet meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Despite a vigorous campaign by local traders, shoppers and employers, led by local Liberal Democrat Councillor David Neve, the Cabinet decided despite recommendations to the contrary to steamroller the increases through.

St. James's Cllr David Neve described the decision, under which some parking charges will now double at Beech Street and Camden Road, as being tantamount to "treachery". He continued: "It had already been decided in a pre-meeting of the cabinet and officers that they would not implement the changes. I feel thoroughly disappointed by the decision."

Union Square car park in the Pantiles was also affected. Broadwater Lib Dem Cllr Peter Crawford said:"I'm concerned that this is going to hit traders in the Pantiles and Camden Road once the winter sets in and the tourist trade drops off. It's not a good move."