A CONTROVERSIAL move to change town centre parking charges was almost stopped in its tracks as it came under fire from within.

Malvern Hills District Council’s executive committee adopted the new tariffs, which will see prices rise in short-stay car parks and fall at long-stay sites, when it met on Tuesday.

But that was only after a motion calling for the decision to be deferred and debated by full council was narrowly defeated, by six votes to four.

The decision has caused upset among traders and opposition councillors, and could now be “called in” for closer examination.

Chris Marks, of Great Malvern Association of Traders, said: “This will detract from our ability to compete with the out-of-town centres that offer free parking.

“Something we would like to see is the continuation of free parking and greater provision of parking within the town.”

And Coun Tom Wells, leader of the opposition on MHDC, fears severe consequences for retailers.

“On the face of this it appears to be a deliberate attack on the traders of Great Malvern. This could be the final straw for many of those businesses in a time of economic recession,” he said.

Coun Wells is co-chairman of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee and is considering calling in the decision.

“It is not something I will do lightly and not something I have done before. But given the potential damage this could do for traders I feel it could benefit from further scrutiny,” he said. “I think it is important that councillors representing Malvern wards have a say on this important matter.”

The new charges, set to come in on Sunday, April 1, will include a new 30-minute short-stay charge of 50p, which will be reviewed after 12 months.

Parking for an hour will rise from 60p to 90p, and for two hours from £1.20 to £1.70.

Long-stay charges will be reduced from 60p to 50p for an hour and £1.20 to £1 for two hours. The price of season tickets in long-stay car parks will also be reduced.

Coun Bronwen Behan, responsible for car parking at MHDC, said: “The new tariff structure is to address the problems of both congestion and the lack of availability of parking, which are most acute in Great Malvern town centre.

“This was identified very clearly in the consultation last year and is set out in our strategy adopted last November.

“Improving the availability of parking close to Great Malvern town centre and encouraging greater use of long stay parking will help to support local businesses.”