SHOPPERS and traders are to be given an opportunity to have their say as a council reveals details on future car parking charges in Bishop Auckland.

Many traders have been campaigning against the idea of introducing car parking charges in the town, and the issue has been the subject of meetings between Wear Valley District Council, businesses and Durham County Council.

But Wear Valley District Council is pressing ahead with a pay-and-display scheme that is open to public consultation.

The authority is proposing that car parks in Kingsway and South Church, the Newgate Centre, North Bondgate and Victoria Avenue should become short-stay car parks.

Kingsway, north of Gib Chare, will become a long-stay car park, as will South Terrace and Tenters Street.

The charges will be implemented between 7.30am and 6pm Monday to Saturday inclusive, and will exclude Sundays and bank holidays.

Lesley Zair, who owns a cafe in the town, said: "It is out to public consultation at the moment. We will just have to wait and see. The car park at North Bondgate has been a pay-and- display for some time now and I have to say that it has improved footfall because people know they will be able to get a space.''

Charges in the short-stay car parks will be 30p for the first hour, 80p for up to two hours and £1.60 for three hours. People parking in long-stay car parks will be charged £3 for all-day parking, or £7 for a weekly pass.

Mrs Zair said: "I think they have got the charges the wrong way around, but we will wait and see what is said."

The proposals are on display in the town council offices, in Old Bank Chambers in the Market Place, as well as in Crook Civic Centre, between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am and 4.30pm on Fridays. The Old Bank Chambers closes on Wednesday mornings between 9am and noon.

Objections and comments should be submitted to the council by writing to the head of legal services, Wear Valley District Council, Civic Centre, Crook, by no later than February 19.