A COMMUNITY group has slammed the introduction of night time parking charges in Wokingham.

The Wokingham Society has branded plans to introduce overnight and evening parking across the town "damaging to the local economy" and a "safety risk".

The borough council began consulting on plans to introduce an overnight and Sunday charges in 18 car parks across the town in January.

If approved the new charges would come into effect form April 3.

Peter Must, chairman of the Wokingham Society wrote a letter setting out the group's objections.

He wrote: "It would be damaging to the local economy at a time when it is fragile and when steps are being taken to enhance retail and leisure opportunities in town centres, particularly with regard to Wokingham town.

"This would affect revenue... and put at risk the potential benefits of the council's investment in regeneration.

"The Bank Holiday charge would adversely affect the festivals and carnivals local people work so hard to run."

The society says lone women run the risk of being attacked as they find a metre to pay the charge late at night and drivers will be inconvenienced having to return to the carpark to top up the tickets after 6pm.

Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways on Wokingham Borough Council said: “Noone likes to charge people for anything.

"But we have seen a shift in the economy especially around our towns.

"We have an 18 hour economy as people use restaurants and facilities in the evening.

"Is it fair the people that have to use the car park, because they work or go shopping, to pay for those that use it for leisure."

He said open car parks were often safer than parking on roads. If approved the new charges would apply to all council managed car parks but the decision to introduce it would be made in light of the consultation responses.

If approved the new parking charges will apply to Cockpit Path, Easthampstead Road East, Easthampstead Road West, Crockhamwell Road, Headley Road, Denmark Street, Shute End Council Offices, The Paddocks, Carnival Pool, Rose Street, Winnersh Triangle, School Lane Wargrave, Station Road Earley, Lytham Road East, Lytham Road West and Polehampton Close East Twyford, Polehampton Close East West.

The dead line for consultation responses is today, Friday, November 5.