TRADERS have vented their anger at plans to axe free parking amid claims the decision is an “abuse of democracy.”

Proposals to introduce charges in Bath and North East Somerset Council-owned car parks in Midsomer Norton and Radstock have been met with thousands of objections, which opposing councillors have cited as a “tax on the poor.”

B&NES Council wants to roll out emissions-based parking beyond Bath to improve air quality through “a major shift to sustainable transport, walking and cycling and incentives to reduce the use of more polluting vehicles.”

Shaun Dudden, who runs Dustland Fairytale Antiques in Midsomer Norton, set up a petition which gained more than 5,600 signatures from people against the proposal.

He said: “It’s an abuse of democracy, that’s my opinion.

“They think two hours’ free parking is brilliant. It’s not, it’s even worse. I’ll tell you why, because we have a lot of hairdressers and charities shops, and they go to work here for four or five hours.

“If B&NES Council is interested in charity and community, why are they penalising charity workers?”

A motion from councillor Shaun Hughes (Independent, Midsomer Norton North), seconded by councillor Tim Warren (Conservative, Midsomer Norton Redfield), calling for the rollout of charges to suspended until more evidence was available to justify it, was defeated 29-16 at a council meeting last month.

Some changes have been made since the initial plans were unveiled.

Lucy Sidwick, of Zen Rebel studios, said “Like all owners who have invested thousands in getting businesses off the ground and maintaining them during the last few years, riding out Covid, the cost of living crisis etcetera, it’s massively disappointing.

“For my business personally lots of our clients spend more than two hours with us, they run support groups, workshops, and coffee meetings.

“We want to encourage people to spend longer on our high street as it has a lot to offer. The council should be supporting local businesses instead of being an added cause of stress.”

Muffins bakery has opposed the charges and displays a sign outside the shop reading ‘No to parking charges’.

An employee at Muffins, who didn’t want to give her name, said “I think it will kill the high street. I don’t think people will come into the High Street if they have to pay parking charges.”

Cabinet member for highways at B&NES Councillor Manda Rigby (Bathwick, Liberal Democrat), said: “We acknowledge each of our areas within Bath and North East Somerset is unique.

“We therefore spent time and money consulting to be able to amend our proposals in the light of feedback. Unlike any other area in B&NES, in the light of listening to feedback there will be two free hours parking provided in Midsomer Norton and Radstock and a 25 per cent reduction to the proposed hourly charge.

“This reduces the financial impact of the proposals on the motorists using the council car parks while offsetting the costs of running them to the council and the residents.”