MOTORISTS and traders have stepped up their fight to stop plans to increase parking charges across Arun.

Littlehampton Traders Partnership handed in a 2,400-name petition to Arun District Council leader Derek Whittaker on Monday afternoon in protest at the move.

There was anger last year when plans to stop the two-hour free disc parking scheme at St Martin's and Anchor Springs car park in Littlehampton were put forward. The move was part of a scheme to cut costs by the council.

Members of the economic regeneration and tourism committee at Arun District Council were told the disc parking scheme has cost the council about £62,850 in income since it started in 1997.

They want to introduce hourly parking and charge 40p for the first hour and £5 for more than five hours.

But traders say the move would lead to a loss of business and make visitors shop elsewhere. They have circulated response slips across the Arun district.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.