Mid Devon car parking charges increased

Charges have been increased in car parks operated by Mid Devon District Council despite calls for staff to give up free permits instead.

The council has gone ahead with the move despite a 2,500-signature petition against the plans.

Increases of between 20p and 30p an hour have been introduced at pay-and-display facilities.

The council said it was the first increase for five years and that it would be reviewed in a year's time.

Previous rates of between 60p for the first hour in long-stay car parks and 70p in medium-stay car parks have been increased to between 80p and £1.

The Conservative-led authority issues about 200 free permits to staff and 42 to councillors.

Independent councillor Mary Turner called for permit users to pay because councillors and council staff "are no better or worse than the public".

The council said its staff's terms and conditions provided free parking where possible and permits were provided to cut back on any reimbursement costs.

The council added that the move saw it charging only £1 for five hours parking in Tiverton and Crediton.

The council's leader Peter Hare-Scott added: "I do not believe the modest increases will have any effect on trade."