A PROPOSAL to increase car parking charges across West Somerset for the summer season has been described as “appalling”.

The plans, which are to be discussed at a full West Somerset Council meeting next Wednesday, put forward the notion of increasing most rates by 20p.

For example, Warren Road Upper Car Park in Minehead currently costs £2.60 for up to two hours stay, but under the new proposal, the price would increase to £2.80 during the months from March to October.

It is predicted the increases could raise between £30,000 and £34,000 additional revenue for the district council.

Williton has already seen 14 car parking spaces removed to make a diversion route possible whilst the Washford roundabout is being constructed and could also be affected by the charges.

Cllr Robert McDonald, chairman of Williton Town Council said: “I don’t think that it’s fair that they are proposing this when they have already cut the council tax rebate for us. Williton is already having to make up for this through an increase in council tax.

“We are grateful that the district council has provided us with two parking spaces to make up for the ones we’ve lost but this will be a burden that the people of Williton are going to have to bear for West Somerset Council.”

John Richards, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Watchet has called the move “appalling” in light of the “poor tourism season in 2014”.

He said: “As with most parking charges this is a ‘cash cow’ for the district council and locals and visitors alike should not have to pay for all the appalling financial decisions taken by the council, which have resulted in a shortfall they need to make up out of other people’s pockets, not from those who made the mistakes.”

An increase in the price of parking permits is also part of the proposal and is projected to raise between £6-8k additional revenue.

Minehead Chamber of Commerce chairman Graham Sizer said the chamber is “grateful that the charges have remained static for three years” but that they are “hated by everyone”

He said: “It pushes shoppers out of town centres and to free car parking at supermarkets, which in our case are outside the centre.

“It is an even more bitter pill to swallow when the empty land our council points supermarkets to each time is their own out-of-town land where they can make even more money.”

Tourists for West Somerset Railway, which picks up passengers from a number of West Somerset stations including Minehead, Watchet and Williton, will also be affected by the charges, according to station manager Paul Conibeare.

He said: “West Somerset tourism has had a difficult year recovering from 2014 with the floods.

“Any increase to parking charges will make our visitors reluctant to stay and would not have the support of the railway.”

A spokesperson from West Somerset Council said that the charges will only increase during the summer, remaining the same in winter.

She said: “Car parking charges in West Somerset have been frozen for the past three years, with the aim of limiting costs for customers during the economic downturn.

“However, following the annual review of costs and charges for council services, the council is now looking to introduce a small increase during the summer months.

“Local residents and business customers can access significant discounts for parking through the purchase of seasonal permits.”