MOTORISTS and traders have hit out at plans to increase parking charges across Arun in a bid to head off a cash crisis.

The move comes just two weeks after cash-strapped Arun District Council said it was considering the closure of several venues because of its financial problems.

There are already plans to shut or scale down Fontwell Tourist Information Centre, Littlehampton Swimming Centre's creche and Arundel Swimming Pool and a further risk of up to 15 job losses at the council.

The council needs to save £1 million over the next four years to fulfil its financial strategy because of rising costs and a mounting wage bill.

Now tourism chiefs have announced a planned hike in parking charges to try to generate more income.

Motorists and traders in Littlehampton are

furious and say shoppers will desert the town.

The new charges for 2000-1 could include stopping the two-hour free disc parking scheme at St Martin's and Anchor Springs car parks in Littlehampton.

Members of the

council's economic regeneration and tourism committee have been told by officers the scheme has cost the council £62,850 in income since it started in 1997.

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

It is also planned to increase the cost of an annual seven-day town centre parking permit from £220 to £245.

Also on the parking

hit-list are the Avon Road car park in Littlehampton and Fitzleet multi-storey in Bognor, which both currently offer reduced rate parking of 20p for the first two hours. It is

proposed to increase the charge to 30p.

And shoppers will face a £5 charge to park all day at car parks in Surrey Street and Manor House, Littlehampton, Crown Yard, Arundel, and Hothamton, Bognor, instead of the current £4.

John Stevens, of the Littlehampton Traders Partnership, said: "Getting rid of the disc parking would be a disaster for the town centre. Bringing people into Littlehampton would prove exceptionally difficult.

"We think the disc parking scheme should continue, it has been very successful.

Shopper Tony Knowles, 33, of Clun Road, Littlehampton, said: "I think it is disgusting. I read about the swimming pool in Arundel possibly closing and now this. I don't know how the council has got to be in such a state."

A spokesman for Arun District Council said: "The impact of the free disc parking scheme has been a shortfall in car parking income estimated to be £62,850.

"It is estimated income would be increased by £29,000 if hourly charging was introduced.

"Many short-stay charges at car parks have not been increased since 1996. All of the charges will be subject to consultation and initial comments will be considered by January."

Members of the economic regeneration and tourism committee will discuss the issue on Wednesday.

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