Business leaders are pledging to fight as hard as they can against plans to axe free parking in some of Suffolk's most historic market towns.
The chair of a business group has spoken out as he tries to galvanise opposition to the controversial plans unveiled by Babergh District Council just before Christmas.
Meanwhile, nearly 3,000 people have signed a petition against the proposed changes which its organiser says will "kill retail" in the area.
Three hours of free parking is currently available in car parks in towns and villages throughout Babergh, including Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham.
But the cost of subsidising the free parking cost Babergh District Council about £425,000 last year and it is set to increase this year.
Now the authority, which is facing a budget cap of £1.5million next year, says it can no longer afford to fund the subsidy if it is to continue to deliver other essential services.
Paul Clover, who represents Lavenham on Babergh District Council and launched an e-petition against the charges in December which now has over 2,900 signatures, said: "I think we can't afford to kill the retail outlets in Sudbury. There's a number of vacant outlets already and it is just going to increase that.
"We need to look at the impact that these changes will have on the high street, not just in Sudbury but there's also Lavenham as well, which has a big tourist draw to the area, and Hadleigh.
"If we look at Sudbury we have got four well-known supermarkets and they all offer free parking and have a tremendous breadth of choice now. It is not fair to take business rates from retailers and then penalise them.
"We're not saying that the council hasn't got challenges, and we support them in finding the best solution but something that drives down business and attractiveness for retail owners and customers alike is just completely inappropriate."
Cllr Clover said he is arranging for hard copies of the petition to be placed in Lavenham shops and restaurants this week for visitors to sign.
The new tariffs would apply to council-run car parks, with existing on-street parking remaining unchanged and blue badge holders still able to park in the council’s car parks for free.
If the proposals to change parking tariffs at Babergh's cabinet on Tuesday, January 9 are approved, officers will meet with town and parish councils early in the New Year.
A further report will then go back to cabinet in April. Councillors on the authority's overview and scrutiny committee will also consider any changes to car parking tariffs alongside wider draft budget proposals in the New Year.
Robin Bailey, chair of Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, said: "Obviously we are not happy with doing away with the free parking and you've only got to look on social media at the numbers of petitions that other people have already started without being pushed by us to see this is the case.
"Several people from more outlying villages and towns like Halstead have said they won't be coming here anymore if it goes ahead.
"Our main concern is for all the independent shops and cafes in the town and the impact on them.
"I know the council was talking about sustainable transport, but people will not walk into the town for shopping, particularly the elderly and there's no bus services.
"We're steadfastly against it and we're talking to our members about it. We're also approaching other businesses in the town and offering them a temporary membership in order to support them in anyway we can.
"We will fight it as hard as we possibly can," he added.
This comes as Sudbury Town Council called an extraordinary meeting of the full council for Tuesday at 7pm to discuss the issue.
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