The petition was a response to a recent report by Lib-Dem-run B&NES Council which said it would be looking into the possibility of bringing in parking charges at free car parks outside of Bath. Presenting the petition, Chamber of Commerce representative, Sarah Ford, urged Councillors to reject any proposal to introduce parking charges in

Midsomer Norton, arguing that it would damage trade in the town. Free parking provided by B&NES in Radstock, Chew Magna, Paulton and Peasedown could be affected as the Lib-Dem led Council regards free parking outside Bath as something of an anomally.

Tory Councillors have backed calls to keep free parking in Midsomer Norton and last week pressed the Lib-Dem Cabinet Member for Transport, Roger Symonds, to justify the Council's claim that parking charges have little or no impact on High Street trade. In response, the Lib-Dem Cabinet Member claimed that the use of parking charges can actually benefit retail trade and increase footfall by encouraging turnover.

Councillor Michael Evans said: "We are giving our 100% backing to calls for free parking to be retained in Midsomer Norton. Hopefully, the petition organised by local traders will demonstrate the strength of feeling amongst residents and businesses on this issue.

"Despite the Lib Dems' claims, there is a lot of evidence to support free parking. The Government's Portas report on supporting High Streets called for free parking, and this was backed up in a recent survey by Confused.com which revealed that 65% of consumers are put off from shopping locally by expensive parking charges. We will continue to argue our case to B&NES and press the Lib-Dems to commit to maintaining free parking in Midsomer Norton."

Cllr Chris Watt (Cons, Midsomer Norton Redfield) added: "The idea that introducing parking charges can actually increase local trade in Midsomer Norton, as B&NES has suggested, simply beggars belief. It shows that the Lib-Dems running B&NES have lost the plot and simply have no understanding of the needs of Midsomer Norton. I'd love to know if this is what Labour Councillors had in mind when they handed the Lib-Dems the keys to running B&NES after the elections last year."