TOWN councillors in Wiveliscombe have formed a parking group to look at the impact of car park charges Somerset Council wants to introduce across the county later this year.

The unitary authority announced earlier this year it was going to charge a daily £2 fee in previously free car parks and £1 for evening and overnight parking to raise money to avoid becoming bankrupt.

The measures would cost more than £1,000 a year for Wiveliscombe residents, where parking is currently free.

Hundreds of residents took part in a protest demonstration in March, with the Somerset authority later dropping its overnight parking charge proposals.

Wiveliscombe councillors agreed charges should not be brought in without prior consultation, as every town in the county had different circumstances.

They called on the unitary authority to carry out a ‘meaningful consultation’ before any charges were introduced.

It was also agreed to include local residents on the parking group, which will make recommendations to the town council.

Members attending the group’s first meeting decided to recommend the full council should survey all residents and businesses before responding to the unitary authority.

They heard businesses wanted existing 30-minute free street parking extended to an hour, while local people wanted the option of residents’ parking permits.

The group recognised that residents currently used the town’s two car parks because they did not have off-street parking.

Any change would impact on neighbouring streets as people tried to park elsewhere in Wiveliscombe to avoid the charges.

Shoppers wanted spaces for one to two hours of free parking to allow them to shop in the town, and it was said some Stogumber residents chose to go instead to Williton where they knew they could always park.

The group heard both Wiveliscombe car parks would need resurfacing and relining prior to charges being introduced.