By Julian Whittle

Published at 11:47, Tuesday, 09 September 2008

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to new parking charges for the Rickergate area of Carlisle will take their fight to the city council tonight.

Sisters Julia and Joanna Clifford, who run the women-only Curves gym in Corporation Road, will address councillors and present a 500-signature petition opposing the charges.

They say the proposed changes would damage small businesses.

At present motorists can park free for up to an hour by displaying a disc.

But Cumbria County Council is applying for a “stopping-up order” as the first step towards introducing charges, probably next year.

Spaces at the north end of Lowther Street, between Dixon Street and Corporation Road, and behind Corporation Road would be redesignated as pay-and-display car parks.

Free on-street parking in Corporation Road itself and in Rickergate would continue.

The city council’s community services director, Mike Battersby, says the county will consult the public before it brings in charging.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk