ANGRY market traders have predicted on-street parking charges could sound the death knell for business in Bury.

But while members of Bury Chamber of Trade have condemned the proposed charges as "the final straw", president Mr Fred Bowen said he personally felt it was fair and would create a higher turnover of customers.

These were just two of the responses to a major consultation exercise by Bury Council which wants to introduce charges in the town centre.

The scheme would cost £200,000 to put in place and it is estimated it will provide an income of £100,000 per year.

Bury Market Tenants Association secretary, Mr Steven Frieslander, said: "By introducing these charges, potential shoppers will be driven away from the town centre. People who only need the odd item will now consider these new charges and probably go to out of town retail shopping parks which offer free parking."

He said the introduction of car parking charges on the town's car parks had already led to a drop in trade even though the council is spending £5 million on the refurbishment of the markets.

Mr Frieslander added: "I hope the elected members enjoy the wide and varied choice at present, because the expected loss of trade will probably lead to the failure of some businesses within the town. This will make the town less attractive to the shopper who provides the lifeblood for many traders including our members."

Members of Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce also disagree with any attempts to impose the charges, reasoning that it is difficult enough to park without on-street parking. Those in favour of charging include the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council (BADDAC).

But BADDAC manager, Mr Alan Norton, said BADDAC was concerned that the changes might result in the loss of some double yellow lines where disabled drivers tend to park because of the acute shortage of designated disabled parking within the town centre.

He also expressed a wish for a trial period to assess the impact that the proposed on-street parking has in Bury. The proposals do not affect the existing on-street parking spaces in the town centre for disabled drivers, nor prevent the provision of additional spaces in the future.

A number of those consulted suggested that the maximum period of parking be reduced from the proposed two hour periods to one hour in Bank Street, Bolton Street and St Mary's Place in line with the current limited waiting period of one hour in these streets.

This amendment was approved by the council's traffic and engineering sub committee when it met on Monday (Sept 7).

Once the proposals have been advertised there will be 21 days in which opponents to the proposals can object.

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