COMMUTERS who leave their cars in the Angel Drove car park in Ely could soon face a marked increase in their parking charge to help cover the cost of clamping down on nuisance parkers. A consultation document approved by councillors on Tuesday outlined p

COMMUTERS who leave their cars in the Angel Drove car park in Ely could soon face a marked increase in their parking charge to help cover the cost of clamping down on nuisance parkers.

A consultation document approved by councillors on Tuesday outlined proposals to increase the daily parking charge at Angel Drove by 50p to help fund changes to the neighbouring Cambridgeshire Business Park where a large number of commuters have been parking free of charge.

Around 30 cars have been parking for free on the park's side roads every day and the council say it has received a growing number of complaints from businesses about restricted access for lorries and potentially, emergency services.

As a result members of the Environment and Transport Committee agreed on Tuesday to start a consultation process with local people regarding the changes, which could see the whole of Cambridgeshire Business Park declared an off-street parking area, thereby stopping commuters parking there for more than 90 minutes before 8.30am.

Committee member Cllr Ian Allen, said: "When the council agreed to close the lay-by at Ely high bridge earlier this year I was in favour of the approach, I thought it was a good idea and it has improved the safety of the area.

"With this proposal, however, I get the feeling that the people who have been paying to park are being punished because of the actions of people who have been parking for free."

If the consultation is approved, the cost of a weekly parking ticket at Angel Drove will increase by �1 to �12, a quarterly ticket would increase from �126.50 to �145 but an annual ticket would remain at �506.

Consultation on the proposals will begin from next week; anybody interested in submitting their views can visit the district council's website at: www.eastcambs.gov.uk.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should the charge for parking at Angel Drove be increased? Send your thoughts to (Letters) the Ely Standard, 38 Market Street, Ely, CB6 4LS or email: editor@ely-standard.co.uk.