OVER 100 people a day have been joining an online protest against a proposal to scrap free parking around Minehead harbour, the organisers said this week.

They are joining several hundred objectors who have written letters and signed petitions against Somerset County Council’s plans to remove 30 free parking spaces and create permit-only areas.

The council claims this will remove competition between tourists and residents and improve safety around the harbour.

But Julian Abraham, owner of the harbourside pub The Old Ship Aground and organiser of protest, told the Free Press: “The present system works perfectly well. What is proposed is both unfair and restrictive and will put under threat a much-valued recreational asset.

“We believe that free parking is crucial to the economic stability and survival of the harbour community.

“There is free parking in other areas of Minehead so why shouldn’t this apply to Quay Street and Quay Street West?

“The harbour is a real jewel in Minehead’s crown and a lot of people will be upset if these completely unnecessary changes go through. The huge amount of support we have already had is very heartwarming.”

Mr Abraham said that all the businesses in the area were backing the campaign to keep free parking. They include charter fishermen, a café, a bait shop and an outdoor training organisation.

“All these business provide jobs and these could be in jeopardy if the proposed changes go through,” Mr Abraham said.

“For instance, we now have nearly 20 full-time staff at the pub. It is important that local people know exactly what is going on. These imposed restrictions smack of restrictive practices and could be ill-conceived.”

County council proposals also include an increase in permit charges to bring them in line with the rest of Somerset, but RNLI personnel from the nearby lifeboat station would not have to pay for parking permits.

No increase will take place in Minehead until a review of parking in Quay Street and Quay West have been completed and any increase in permit charges would be phased over three years.

In the meantime, a drop-in information event will be held on Monday January 18 from 3pm to 7pm at the Old Ship Aground for residents to discuss the proposed changes.

According to Cllr David Fothergill, county council cabinet member for highways, the proposed new scheme would give residents priority by creating permit-only areas and allow visitors to park for short periods and holidaymakers to have weekly scratch cards.

“I encourage residents to have their say,” Cllr Fothergill said.

“They are the experts on your street so it is important that they tell us what will work best for them and if there are any issues with the proposed parking arrangements.”

Depending on the level of response to a Traffic Regulation Order which could be issued after the feedback has been assessed, the new scheme could be in place for the start of Minehead’s summer season.

Mr Abraham said he was hopeful that the amount of public protest would influence the county council decision: “The present system has never caused any problems. It doesn’t make sense to change it.”