HUNDREDS of readers have supported the Bolton Evening News's campaign against plans for a hike in car parking fees.

Today Gareth Tidman puts the ten questions you most want answered to the men behind the proposals.

EARLIER REPORTS HERE

PLANS to increase fees at council-run car parks in Bolton by as much as seven per cent have provoked an angry response from motorists and businesses in the town.

Around 500 readers have cut out "No to car park rises" coupons printed in the Bolton Evening News and returned them to our offices to demonstrate their opposition to the proposals.

Today members of Bolton Council were deciding whether or not to go ahead with the increases which are aimed at filling a £45,000 shortfall in the environment department's budget.

If the rises are backed, a policy development group will then be given the task of deciding where the increases are introduced.

It is expected that prices for time bands will rise at some car parks, while at others they may fall or remain static.

Some time bands may disappear altogether, meaning drivers would have to pay higher fees.

Today, the Bolton Evening News puts 10 key questions to the men behind the plan for the increases -- Cllr Guy Harkin, the council executive member for the environment, Ian Taylor, head of car parking services, and Brian Shaw, assistant director for the environment.

Why is it necessary to raise car parking charges in Bolton?

Cllr Harkin: This is an attempt to standardise charges while increasing revenue.

We have had a freeze on fees and shoppers will still be paying less than they were six years ago for parking. In this period, real earnings have risen by 30 per cent.

Not all fees will rise, some will go down and some will remain static.

What is your response to traders, opposition councillors and the Town Centre Company who all claim increases will harm the vitality of the town centre?

Cllr Harkin: A House of Commons Select Committee found that the amount and quality of car parking spaces determines town centre vitality more than the price. I realise there is a problem with falling revenue for shops and when the Trafford Centre opened we lost around 20 per cent of the people coming into the town. However, we had between 50,000 and 70,000 more visitors last year than the year before.

Mr Shaw: These price changes are aimed at encouraging people to stay longer in Bolton. That is what businesses want -- bigger spenders who stay longer.

Many people believe higher charges will cause shoppers to go elsewhere -- such as Middlebrook or the Trafford Centre -- where parking is free. Do you agree?

Cllr Harkin: I would agree that if there is to be a major increase in car parking prices, that would deter people from shopping here. But these increases are the equivalent of 2p extra for every car that parks here. People should also remember that parking isn't free at the Trafford Centre. Each shop pays a fee towards parking which is then passed on to customers through their prices.

Council officers have referred to a £45,000 shortfall in the budget of the environmental department. In the light of increasing concerns for the future of the town centre, could this money not be found elsewhere?

Cllr Harkin: If we thought the new tariffs would have an impact on town centre trade, we would have looked elsewhere. We do not believe they will have a negative effect.

Mr Taylor: If parking charges are such a problem, why are Manchester and Stockport -- where fees are higher -- so buoyant, while some areas with free parking are suffering?

How do you propose to spread the increases around the town's various car parks?

Mr Shaw: We want to lower the fee for shoppers making a significant visit to the town centre and that will be balanced by small increases elsewhere. We know there are also concerns for commuters and we want to protect that area, too.

It is also possible that a number of fee bands at some car parks will disappear -- such as the half hour and three hours marks -- to encourage people into higher bands.

However, the final decision is with Cllr Harkin and the policy development group.

Cllr Harkin has claimed the council is coming under pressure from private car parking firms who want it to raise car parking prices because they are not able to compete. Shouldn't the council be more concerned about the interests of residents and traders?

Cllr Harkin: What the private parking companies are telling us is that they do not make enough money to invest in Bolton.

We do not want to be left with rundown car parks -- that is not in the interests of the town.

We want them to be able to make a high enough rate of return to encourage more and more proper car parks, rather than level bomb sites which make the town look tatty.

Many drivers have stated their desire for safer car parks and more pay-on-exit spaces. What changes to council car parks can residents expect over the next 12 months?

Mr Taylor: We are going to invest £275,000 over the next year to improve safety. Over the last few years we have made significant steps forward in reducing crime at our car parks.

Cllr Harkin: It is a long term goal to increase the number of pay-on-exit spaces, but at some car parks it is just not possible. We accept it is a hassle-free way of parking and we will be speaking to our partners to find out how we can bring our plans forward.

What is your response to those -- the town centre manager among them -- who say creating more car parking spaces or even reducing prices would raise profits at council car parks?

Cllr Harkin: We lowered fees as an experiment for 15 days in 2001 at the request of the Town Centre Company and unfortunately it didn't work. We lost around £30,000 and only attracted 119 extra visitors.

Mr Shaw: It is our proud boast that we have the highest number of spaces in Greater Manchester, outside of the city. Unfortunately, we do not have much land left that can be used in the town centre.

At a meeting of Bolton Council, Councillor Harkin said a report was being put together on parking in Bolton which would be subject to an all-party review. What are the aims of this report?

Mr Taylor: We are embarking on a complete review of every aspect of parking in Bolton. We will be taking independent advice from experts who will tell us what we should be doing in the future to improve things.

Do you believe the town centre is in decline and what is being done to ensure its viability for the future?

Cllr Harkin: We believe the town centre is in transition, but it is not in decline. We have a number of problems with vacant units as many of the major chains require bigger premises than we can offer. There is a feeling of decay and decline which is the real problem.

However, there are a number of things we are looking at. Our officers are talking with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority about redesigning the interchange and we want to encourage more people to live in the town centre and to develop a cafe society.