'Rethink crazy car parking charges' Business leaders have reacted with anger to council plans to extend car parking charges. PARKING MAD CITY TO EXTEND ON-STREET CHARGES.

Byline: David Bartlett reports

LIVERPOOL will become the only major northern city to charge to park on its streets after 6.30pm, when a new regime is introduced in April.

The revelation comes amid mounting anger at Liverpool Council's proposal to extend charging for parking for both on and off-street from 6pm until 8pm to raise an additional pounds 110,000 a year.

Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley recently claimed the move would "mirror" other UK cities.

But it has emerged that onstreet parking in Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham are free after 6pm, while Sheffield and Newcastle are free from 6.30pm.

Last night lobby group Downtown Liverpool in Business (DLIB) and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce urged the council to re-think the proposed extension of parking charges.

The city council said the decision was "unavoidable" and still meant that people would pay far less than other core cities for all-day parking in car parks.

It has insisted that although it has been a difficult decision to make, it will help protect services.

The Labour opposition urged the Liberal Democrat administration to put aside political differences and reverse the proposed charging scheme for the good of the city.

The extension of parking charges is part of the city council's budget for the financial year starting in April.

It will see the local authority's share of council tax increase by 4.45%.

The administration has already withdrawn a proposal to axe 25 lollipop ladies and the business community now hopes it will do the same on the parking issue.

Last night Frank McKenna, chairman of DLIB, said: "We just can't understand this decision as it would only raise pounds 110,000 - the negative impact on the city's economy is far greater than that.

"Given the pittance it will raise, surely the political fallout is not worth it."

He said he feared the extension of times when parking had to be paid for could eventually lead to 24 hour charging.

Paul Brant, deputy Labour leader and finance spokesman, said the move would undermine all the billions that had been spent in recent years to regenerate the city.

He said: "This survey blows apart the last excuse justifying these increased charges.

"The protection of our local economy and jobs should be the highest priority for the council at this difficult time. The Lib-Dems have already agreed they got it wrong over the Lollipop staff cuts, and they will have our support if they agree to reverse these damaging increased charges.

"We call on the council leaders to join with the business community and the Labour opposition for the sake of our city."

Jack Stopforth, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are absolutely hopping mad about this. I have made it clear to senior councillors and Warren Bradley himself that we think it's nuts.

"We have been assured that nothing is concrete yet, we hope they will think again.

"We all understand that 2008 was wonderfully successful and that did not come for nothing, but this is undoing all the good of 08 instead of simply helping to pay for it."

He said the impact would be most felt on retailers and businesses in the leisure sector.

Iain Christie, spokesman for the Royal Court, said: "All our shows start at 8pm. Previously people could arrive at 7pm and come down for the show. Now there will be no way to park for free on the street here or at any other theatres."

He said the theatre had struck a deal with St John's car park to allow customers to park until midnight for pounds 2."

Broadly speaking this will undo a lot of the good work that was done to encourage people into the city centre."

Robert Longthorne, building development director at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, asked the council to re-consider.

"There is a serious shortage of parking provision around the Everyman on Hope Street and many audience members rely on the availability of on-street parking, particularly those with mobility difficulties.

"With performances beginning at 7.30pm, the extension of charges from 6pm to 8pm will mean those travelling by car having to pay for a minimum of an hour.

"The number of onstreet spaces available was reduced drastically by the refurbishment of the Hope Street public realm and a further major reduction will be caused by the planned extension of double yellow lines in the area.

"The severe under provision of parking is a problem for all evening activity in the Hope Street quarter, including the Everyman, the Philharmonic Hall, Unity Theatre and restaurants.

"Many audience members sadly have no viable public transport alternative to driving and the Everyman believes that the lack of parking spaces coupled with the extension of charging may discourage them from attending."

CAPTION(S):

Liverpoolwill soon become the only major northern city to charge to park on its; Jack Stopforth; streets after 6.30pm; Theatregoers will have to pay for at least an hour's parking; Cllr Peter Millea; Cllr Paul Brant