Traders say fewer people have been using shops in Midsomer Norton since controversial parking charges were introduced around a month ago.

Bath and North East Somerset Council brought in charges on March 4 as part of its 2024/25 budget, as well as aiming to improve air quality, encourage people to use public transport and raise £195,000 for its coffers.

Opponents to the new charges in Midsomer Norton and Radstock were described as a “tax on the poor” because people who own older, diesel cars will need to pay more - while those with brand new electric or hybrid vehicles will pay the lowest rates.

Sean Dudden, who runs Dustland Fairytale Antiques in Midsomer Norton, compiled a petition with thousands of signatures against the proposals for parking charges.

He also set up the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Traders Association, boasting 51 members, which aims to give shopkeepers a voice and protect their interests in both towns.

He said: “It’s been very quiet this week. I don’t know if that’s got anything to do with the rest of the economy.

“I think they’ve got a god complex, where they think they know best and everybody else hasn’t got a clue. We collected 5,900 signatures on a petition and that wasn’t mentioned in any council meeting. If half the town didn’t want parking charges, surely the democratic thing is to stop them?”

A public consultation was held by B&NES Council before the charges were rolled out which prompted changes to the scheme, including lower rates and two hours of free parking.

The council said after announcing the changes that 4,322 people responded to the consultation, with 77 per cent expressing concerns about air quality.

Carol Levy, who works at the Dorothy House charity shop, said: “It’s been a nightmare. We do four hour shifts and then we’ve got to leave here to move our cars somewhere else so we don’t have to pay any parking charges. It’s been awkward.”

Frederika Wilcox, owner of Muffins Bakery, says her business has been impacted by the charges due to fewer people visiting the shop. She said: “Traffic has definitely been impacted, there is definitely a lot less.

“I just think the whole situation has been handled really poorly by the council. We got involved with a petition, working closely with Shaun Hughes, and we did everything we could.

“Two hours of free parking doesn’t really give you a whole lot of time, especially if you’re ten minutes from the car park, you’ve stopped in other shops along the way?”

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Highways, said: “The first two hours to park are free and our figures show the two-hour free parking is proving successful with a high turnover of spaces across all three car parks.

“In fact almost 90 per cent of the transactions are for the free two hours which shows people are continuing to visit Midsomer Norton for shopping, appointments and socialising and that the availability of parking spaces is supporting local trade.”