DULVERTON Town Council has objected to West Somerset District Council's plans to increase charges at the town's car parks.

Unlike other town councils in West Somerset, Dulverton runs the district council-owned car parks in the town.

And on Tuesday, town councillors called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the district authority's plans to increase car park charges by 25 per cent.

Town council chairman Pat Skipper said: "The district council said it needed to know our response by Monday and we have decided we will definitely not accept the proposals.

"We will put forward our own proposals, but at the moment we are still negotiating with the district council."

l Members of West Somerset District Council's cabinet are due to meet on Monday to formally adopt the much talked-about car parking strategy for the area.

The strategy sets out a list of 15 aims and short term targets, predominantly aimed at increasing revenue for the council.

"To determine an effective plan to deal with car parking in Dulverton" and "to set realistic parking charges" are just two of them.

Others include introducing parking charges in Blue Anchor, setting up year-round parking restrictions in Warren Road, The Esplanade and Quay Street, in Minehead, and reviewing all car parking issues in Watchet "with a view to enhancing the existing limited parking".

Street parking in Minehead will also be reviewed, as will permit charges, while consideration will be given to providing secure parking for bicycles and motorbikes, creating on-street parking "where applicable" and providing "complementary services in car parks".