After a heated two-hour debate at a full council meeting in Northallerton, on Tuesday, Hambleton district councillors voted 30 - 7 for the introduction of off-street parking charges in the towns, and also in Stokesley, next year.

Before the meeting, angry traders had staged a street protest in Northallerton town centre with Hambleton District Council accused of putting trade in the market towns at risk amid fears customers could be driven away by the charges.

Yvonne Rose, chairman of Bedale and District Chamber of Trade and Tourism whose petition against the implementation of charges in her town attracted more than 3,300 signatures, said she was disappointed with the decision.

'disregard'

"I think it is just typical of Hambleton council's disregard for what the electorate wants. You always have to listen to your electorate and deal with their concerns," she said.

Ms Rose warned the implementation of charges – 50p for long stay parking – will not be good for Bedale.

"It will have an unpleasant effect on Bedale," she said.

"At the moment, we are an attractive stop for people on the A1 or for people going through to Wensleydale. If they have to pay for parking, I think people will just pass through and not stop."

Other charges set to be introduced in Hambleton are 40p an hour short stay and £1.50 long stay in Northallerton and Thirsk as well as 20p an hour short stay and £1 long stay in Stokesley, although there will be some free parking available and concession schemes in operation.

After consultation on the proposed implementation of the charges started earlier this year, nearly 400 letters, 170 emails and petitions containing more than 24,400 signatures against the plans were received by the council.

'no option'

Following this week's vote, council leader Coun Arthur Barker said there had been no other option than to introduce the parking charges because a decision by Government ministers to limit council tax increases in 2005 left Hambleton with a predicted £450,000 funding shortfall in 2009/10.

"We fully understand the concerns of local people worried about charges – especially business leaders who are concerned trade may suffer. But we have to take action now to bridge the funding gap," he said.

"Without parking charges we would be looking at making massive cuts in services."

Coun Barker indicated that despite the implementation of the charges next year, Hambleton's financial woes would not be solved.

He said: "There will still be a £70,000 shortfall in the income needed.