RESIDENTS and traders campaigning against parking charges in Ely are hoping to hold a public meeting in the council’s chamber.

The Ely Traders’ Association was told by the district council it would have to provide �5million of liability insurance cover before it could use the chamber at The Grange, in Ely.

As a result, the association has collected hundreds of pounds in donations and says it is in a position to purchase the insurance cover required to hold the meeting on September 15.

Campaign figurehead Andrew Olley said: “The council has confirmed that we will be able to use the chamber, which is a step forward.”

“We hope that by using the chamber we will be able to raise some of the issues with them that they haven’t let us raise so far.”

Last week, the council said it had agreed to meet the traders’ association at the end of August, ahead of a vote on the issue carried out among the ruling Conservative group.

Mr Olley hopes the councillors will delay their vote until after the public meeting, so the public can have its say.

A council spokesman said: “We are happy to continue to listen to all representations and comments from people and organisations who have an interest in the city.”

No decision had been made on introducing charges, he said.