Campaign launched to stop parking fees rise

A campaign has been launched opposing car parking price rises in Staffordshire.

Traders in Rugeley fear a hike will drive shoppers to out-of-town supermarkets.

Motorists are facing increases for rates at car parks in Forge Road, St Paul's Road, at the Market Hall, Taylor's Lane, Market Street and Lichfield Street from April 1. All rates across Cannock Chase will jump 30p for people parking for between two and three hours from £2.10 to £2.40.

Residents and business leaders have started a campaign on Facebook against the increase, and published a letter urging council bosses to drop the fees which says the increase is a "ploy" to "close down Rugeley completely".

The letter, which has been published on the Rugeley Traders Association Facebook, site, reads: "In Rugeley we are now faced with having one of the largest supermarket chains being built out-of-town which will offer free parking.

"To counteract this what does the council do but raise charges which will make us more expensive than the larger towns of Stafford and Lichfield.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realise what effect this will have on the town centre.

"Surely even you must realise we are trying to regenerate the town centre and have put many initiatives into place to encourage local shopping.

"Is this a ploy of the council to close Rugeley down completely?"

Councillor George Adamson, the leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: "If we did get rid of the charges there would have to be a two per cent increase in council tax.

"There's no alternative and it was agreed by the previous administration."

Around 150 jobs are to be created in Rugeley, with Tesco planning to build a 40,000sq ft store on the former Celcon factory site.