A CIVIC leader says he hopes more than 100 people will turn out for a protest march against proposals to introduce car parking charges in an East Yorkshire town.

Coun Jeff Shepherd, the outgoing Mayor of Pocklington, urged as many people as possible to participate in what he described as a peaceful parade, from the Market Place to the rugby club.

He said the procession would last about ten minutes – the time it takes to walk between the two locations.

Under the scheme, charges would be introduced in three car parks in the town – the one on West Green, opposite the bus station, and at the ones to the front and the rear of the old railway station.

While motorists can currently leave their vehicles in those car parks for free, the proposals would mean they would have to pay 50p to park for the first hour, 70p for the second hour and each one thereafter, or £2.50 for all day parking.

We reported in February how Coun Shepherd said the town council, local residents and traders all opposed the plans – which East Riding of Yorkshire Council is now consulting on – saying the effect of the charges on the local economy would be disastrous.

He said then: “It’s going to be absolutely disastrous for the traders – people will not want to pay for parking when they’ve had it free before.

“I think it’ll basically turn Pocklington into a ghost town.”

Speaking about the demonstration, which will coincide with a public consultation session on the proposals at the rugby club, he said: “It’s a peaceful parade to demonstrate that we do not want parking charges in Pocklington town car parks.

“Come and join the movement. We need as much help as we can get.”

The protest parade will take place on Thursday, at 5.30pm.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesman said it hoped members of the public would attend the consultation session, taking place from 4.30pm to 7pm, and make their views on the scheme known.

He said it was hoped the charges would free up spaces in the car parks to visitors and shoppers that were currently being taken up by commuters.

He said the charges would also be aimed at creating a “fair and equitable system” for the whole of East Yorkshire.

“What we’ve got is a situation where most of the charging is in Bridlington and Beverley, and, in effect, they’re paying all the car parking fees and other areas are in effect being subsidised,” he said.