CAR parking charges were increased in last year's city budget and it is time to say 'enough is enough'.

Conservatives successfully introduced a move in cabinet this week for on-street car parking charges to stay the same.

But a similar resolution to prevent rises in off-street car parking failed to gain voting support from members of any other group.

Independents and Greens carried the vote against Cllr Airey's proposal.

How long must we wait before a majority of councillors understand that charges for car parking are a major disincentive to journeying into town centres! As James Airey has said: " For too long, Lancaster and Morecambe town centres have had the life taxed out of them, with some of the highest car parking charges in the North-West.

"It is time that this council supported local businesses and shoppers by reducing charges not increasing them further."

Busy town centres are successful town centres.

Conservatives are surely not the only ones who believe it is important to facilitate access to the commercial and leisure facilities in our town centres if the local economy is to thrive.

Cllr Clive Lamb

(Conservative, Hornby ward)