SUNDAY parking charges in town centres will kill the High Street and put people off visiting local shops in the run up to Christmas, say councillors opposing new car park rates.

A petition has already had 1200 signatures against the Sunday and Bank Holiday charges agreed by Wiltshire Council which will begin on November 19.

The petition needs 5,000 signatures to force the council to debate and vote on whether to keep the new charges at a meeting in the New Year.

Following a consultation filled out by 1400 members of the public last year, the council approved plans to increase charges, introduce parking fees and push up season tickets in line with normal prices.

Cllr Gavin Grant said: "Most people had no idea the car parking charges were in the pipeline. They are horrified the Council is bringing them in despite huge opposition.‎They go against all the work to keep our High Streets alive and sustaining local jobs."

Parking charges, including the introduction of Sunday parking, has come into force to subsidise a £4.143m black hole in public transport funding expenditure. The council say that higher charges will create £1.381m in extra revenue.

Speaking when the consultation results were published, Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways and transport, said:"Parking charges have not been increased through an inflation uplift since 2011 and the cost of operating car parks and public transport is continuing to rise. Along with the increasing demand on our budget, we have introduced new charges to mitigate some service reductions." However fresh concerns have been made that people will be put off by new weekend charges.

Cllr Ricky Rogers, leader of the Labour party for Wiltshire said: "The extra revenue will never come to fruition. What it will do is drive people to the supermarkets and out of town shops where parking is free. We believe that where there are charges, there should be a harmonisation across the county where every town has the same charges." Independent group leader cllr Ernie Clark added: "If people are going to church on a Sunday is it really fair to make them pay to go to their place of worship? High streets are dying on their feet and Sunday charges will drive people out.When the consultation came out I didn't respond because it seemed to be written to get the answers the conservatives wanted."

To sign the petition visit: www.SignMe.org.uk/1485