THE damaging knock-on effects of introducing pay-and-display charges in Milford have been outlined by Witley Parish Council in a letter of objection to Waverley Borough Council.

There was an outcry in the village last year when the borough council asked for feedback on proposals to start charging users of the free Station Lane car park next to Milford surgery and opposite a parade of shops £2.50 a day if parked for longer than two hours.

Traders – already hard hit by the recession – were asked to stump up £538 for an annual season ticket.

Faced with a volley of 17 objections, Waverley reduced its charges to 10p for up to two hours and £1.50 for longer stays and £86 for an annual season ticket.

But villagers objected the charges were too low to cover the set-up and enforcement cost and would still deter people from parking there.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.