At a meeting on Wednesday, March 4, the 2009/10 council budget was approved and the new parking charges are expected to raise £700,000 in income for the council.

The Liberal Democrats on the Tory-controlled council made their own proposals and were asking for charges to be frozen until a review is completed.

Campaigners gathered outside the council offices to show their depth of feeling. They handed councillors a 2,000-signature petition from local traders and car park users who were against the rise in charges.

Serena Tierney, local Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner, said: "The council's finance officer confirmed that our figures add up and could be balanced within the budget. Our proposal would have given much-needed support to our local economy at this difficult time."

The council's finance officer presented a run down of the viability of the Liberal Democrats' proposals and members of the council voted against them.

Gordon Marples, leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said the proposed amendments to freeze parking charges would have resulted in service cuts.

Read the full story in the Mid Sussex Times

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