A STEEP increase in Chard and Ilminster's parking charges has been greeted by fierce opposition from motorists, residents and community leaders.
The new charges will apply to all district council-owned car parks in the area from next April, but many people think it will deter shoppers, hit independent traders and clog up side streets.
A range of measures agreed by the district council executive last Thursday will see fees for long- and short-term parking rise in Area West by 10p or 20p in most cases. All day parking is going up by up to 30p.
The increase is the second in two years and residents in Chard say it will result in motorists parking in residential areas.
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