A PETITION has been launched opposing plans to bring on-street parking charges to some Cumbrian towns.

The bitterly-opposed county council proposals were scrapped in November 2014 following a huge backlash but have now been rehashed.

The proposals suggested bringing in charges on streets in 11 towns - including Barrow, but were scrapped following a public backlash.

Ulverston Cllr James Airey, the leader of the Conservatives on CCC, has set up a petition calling on the authority to bin the plans.

Cllr Airey said: “The idea is hugely unpopular within the community and I have launched a petition which has brought a huge response.

“We are talking about small market towns across the county that are struggling, they do not need this.

“Not an adequate excuse and they have a track record of getting this wrong financially.

He added: “It is a poorly run council that can’t cope with parking finances.

“The people’s will power and voice always win, and I am urging the public to get behind the petition to stop these plans like they did four years ago.

Council documents suggest that a single parking machine servicing 10 spaces could generate £31,000 a year, which would mean a £20,000 surplus once the £11,000 cost of the machine had been deducted.

Keith Little, Labour cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Cumbria County Council, said any funding raised will be put back in to improve roads in the county.

He said: “Residents who live on the edge of town centres are asking for resident parking restrictions.

“The public park on the outside of town, walk 10 minutes into the centre, do shopping for several hours and return to their cars.

“Some residents want to apply for permits and have enforcement officers patrol down those streets, but they cost a lot of money.

“The second thing is a change in council procedures will also see the opportunity of raising funds in Cumbria can be made by parking charges income.”

He added: “They could be introduced by local committees rather than the county council.

“The council has lost £220million through cuts and many services are struggling.

“Any funding that could be raised by parking charges will spent on improving the highways in Cumbria.”