TRADERS in Dursley have branded a consultation into parking charges ‘a sham’ and have submitted a 15 page document objecting to proposals for paid car parking.

A document, endorsed by nearly all the town centre businesses in Dursley, has set out opposition to a review which recommends charging for car parking in Dursley, Wotton-under-Edge and Nailsworth.

It accuses Stroud District Council of carrying out an "unreasonably hasty and badly conducted" consultation during the summer holiday period and says officers cannot have considered "the catastrophic impact of parking charges on business".

Guy Attfield, co-owner of Inches fabric shop in Dursley, wrote the report on behalf of over 40 businesses in the town and submitted it to the council last week.

He said that the council's parking review does not take account of the 115 free car parking spaces in Sainsbury’s.

"The new Sainsbury’s store was intended to be the cornerstone of the regeneration of Dursley as a local shopping centre, and the fortunes of the two are now inextricably linked. Parking charges are likely to cause both to fail."

He continued: "To survive, let alone thrive, the district’s town centres have to be attractive to businesses and their customers alike.

"The essential ingredient for this is the same adequate, convenient and free parking offered by the real competition - out of town retail centres.

"This is one key factor, without it, any other town centre regeneration schemes are a waste of effort and money."

Councillor Nigel Cooper, Stroud District Council's cabinet member for finance, said: "Effective car park management, which prevents motorists monopolising parking spaces all day, encourages the turnover of spaces and leads to more visitors for local businesses. The issues are complex and we have yet to make a decision. Close to 600 residents and 75 businesses have already completed the online survey.

"We have also received further responses, which we are currently processing, and have attended public meetings.

"The consultation period started at the beginning of August giving two whole months for comment.

"Whilst the deadline for residents to comment has passed, businesses, town and parish councils, and organisations and councillors who represent others' interests still have until September 30 to provide their views. I would encourage people to take part."