MONMOUTH Town Council are to object again about the imposition of car parking charges in the town's car parks on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Monmouthshire County Council are considering increasing charges on their car parks and bringing in fees for Sundays and Bank Holidays, which at present are free.

Cllr Mrs Anthea Dewhurst said she had gone to the County Council's meeting where the issue was discussed and handed in a written protest.

Cllr Mrs Maureen Roach, who is also a County Councillor, said that her husband Cllr Marcus Roach had pointed out that imposing charges on Sundays would make it difficult for people attending sporting events. Footballers, cricketers and bowls players would be hit when they used the Sports Ground.

The Chambers of Commerce from Abergavenny and Chepstow had also complained about the increase in the penalty charge to £75 which was too much.

They also felt that imposing charges on Sundays and Bank Holidays was unfair when others towns like Usk, Caldicot and Magor had no car parking charges.

"It is very unfair that we should be charged when they get away with it," said Mrs Roach.

A representative from Usk had said that people going to surgeries would have to pay if car parking fees were introduced there, but Mrs Roach pointed out that people in Monmouth were already paying.

Mrs Dewhurst said she had pointed out that Monmouth's situation on the county border meant that people would not come to the town if charges were increased.

"Our tourist industry is absolutely essential and if people have to pay too much they will go to another town."

Mrs Roach said the matter would now go back to the County Council's committee for a decision. No decision had yet been made.

Cllr Mrs Caroline Pearce said a letter had been sent from Monmouth's Chamber of Commerce strongly opposing the changes. She asked why that letter had not been read out at the County Council meeting. Mrs Dewhurst's should also have been read out.

Cllr Jeff Smith said that before the County Council imposed more charges they should sort themselves out. The Cattle Market car park was badly signed and people thought they were parking legally when they weren't, resulting in penalty charges.

Cllr Mrs Eileen Goodrich said the County Council had said that if charges were introduced on Sundays it would help management of the car parks. She asked how that could be when attendants would have to be paid more. That needed explaining, she said.

The Council agreed to write again to the County Council opposing the changes.