COUNCILLORS were due to discuss the objections against plans to charge for car parking in St Neots last night.

COUNCILLORS were due to discuss the objections against plans to charge for car parking in St Neots last night.

However, Councillor David Harty, who represents the Eaton Ford ward, warned residents not to expect a decision yet.

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) will consider comments made by residents who are staunchly against the plans to make drivers pay to use the Riverside and Cambridge Street car parks.

As well as receiving more than 30 letters opposing the plans – including one from Cllr Harty – Huntingdonshire District Council received two petitions, with a combined total of more than 2,100 signatures.

Speaking to The Hunts Post yesterday, Cllr Harty said: “Obviously people are not happy that the car parks could be made chargeable and the objections received by the council include my comments.

“I was the councillor who called this report to the scrutiny panel and I have asked for officers to attend this meeting to take us through the plans.”

He added: “My understanding is that we can make further representations at this meeting before it goes to cabinet next week and I think this is the last opportunity we will have. The cabinet can order a public inquiry but I am not sure exactly what this means and I will raise that point at tonight’s meeting.

“We have been working hard to prevent them charging for the use of these car parks. I first raised the issue back in November and it has gone on from there. I think this issue could rumble on for a while yet. We’ll have to wait and see but there’s a limit to how much we can do.”