BUSINESSES in a Yorkshire Dales village are calling on councillors to rethink increased parking charges after concern the move will hit trade.

Richmondshire District Council has doubled the daily rate for its long-stay car parks, from £2.50 to £5, in a bid to keep down council tax bills.

The hourly rate has also doubled to £1 for the first hour, £2 for the second, £2.80 for the third and £3.60 for the fourth.

Businesses in Muker, Swaledale, say this is fine for towns where there are plenty of shops and visitor attractions, but too expensive for their small village.

Kathleen Hird, from clothing shop Swaledale Woollens, said: "It's difficult enough up at Muker. People will come as far as Reeth, but not always all the way up here.

"Now, people are going to come to Muker and think it's £1 to park, £2 for a cup of coffee and they're not going to spend any money in the shops.

"Visitors pay the same price for parking as they do in Richmond and Hawes, where there is much more on offer."

Diane Holman, from the Old School Craft Shop and Gallery, described the increase as excessive. "We are worried people will think twice before coming here," she said.

Rob Wilson, who runs the tea shop and village store, said: "People will be put off and either drive on or abandon their cars in inconvenient or even dangerous places on the roads."

Business owners have made their concerns known to the district council.

In addition, they have written to Richmond MP William Hague, the leader of the county council Councillor John Weighell, the chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, David Butterworth, and the local government ombudsman, asking for support.

Parking charges went up across the district on April 4.

Swaledale district councillor Raymond Alderson said the charges would have to stay for at least three months until it became clear what the effect on trade was and if the price increase caused a drop in car park revenue.