DRIVERS in Hambleton are enjoying the last two weeks of free car park use as the local council begins the countdown to charges.

Hambleton District Council is to bring in the charges from Monday, October 12 in Northallerton, Thirsk, Bedale and Stokesley.

The authority approved the controversial plan last year by 30 votes to seven as it seeks to find savings to help reduce a £450,000 budget shortfall.

The scheme caused outrage in the towns affected when it was first raised with public meetings held to battle the plan.

Residents fear paying large amounts to park for work and some businesses think it could lead to ghost towns as shoppers went elsewhere for free parking.

Marcus Grover, who co-ordinated the fight against the charges, said: "People are now realising what effect the actions of the council will have on them.

"I think there’s a tremendous amount of bitterness. Saying services will be cut if they’re not brought in is a cheap shot as what services will be cut?

"Businesses are worried about staff finding parking places and the whole action is a blight on our market towns and it’s down to the council’s own financial mismanagement.

"The district council is fighting a losing battle despite the charm offensive of several of its leading characters.

"I look forward to the next election when the ballot box gives these councillors a clear message."

Drivers in Northallerton and Thirsk will pay £1.50 for long stay and 40p an hour for short-stay parking.

Lorries are to be charged £5 to park overnight in Northallerton’s Applegarth car park.

In Stokesley they will pay £1 for long stay and 20p an hour for short stay and in Bedale it will be 50p for any length of stay.

Residents will also have to pay £15 for a permit to park outside of their homes for an unlimited time.

The district council is to contribute £5,000 to help set up a park-and-ride site at the Northallerton Civic Centre.

Council Leader, Councillor Arthur Barker, said: "We have all enjoyed free parking but the reality is we can no longer afford it.

"We want to continue to run a council that has excellent services at low cost and in order to do that we have had to make savings in some services and look at our charging policy elsewhere.

"With parking charges we would be looking at making massive cuts in services."