MOTORISTS have hit out at proposals to raise car parking fees in Bolton -- inundating the Bolton Evening News with letters and e-mails.

The newspaper office has a bulging postbag of complaints from drivers who are backing our campaign to prevent car park charges from being increased by seven per cent.

Retailers fear it will drive people away from Bolton and into neighbouring towns and complexes such as Manchester and the Trafford Centre.

And that could spell disaster for shops in the town who rely on people enjoying their stay in Bolton.

Parking wardens have also come under attack from drivers fed up at being penalised for being a few minutes over time.

Visitors to the town centre say their enjoyment of Bolton is marred by constant clock watching and the fear they will be slapped with a £30 parking fine.

Eddie Rigby, of Redcar Road, Smithills, said the damage of high car park fees is already being done.

He said: "Bolton is no longer a first rate town due to the Labour policies.

"We need a first-class council because at this moment in time Bolton will definitely not be awarded city status.

"I am sorry to say that the town centre has declined over the past years, partly due to high parking charges."

A seven per cent rise is over and above the rate of inflation and is being imposed to help raise £45,000 to cover budget shortfalls.

The recommended rise has been greeted with widespread condemnation from retailers, office workers and shoppers.

Driver Julie Bundy, of Richmond Street, Horwich, said in her e-mail: "I rarely go into Bolton now because of parking charges and fear of being booked.

"I go only about four times a year."

J C Sibbles, of Radstock Close, Bolton, added: "It's time Bolton Council woke up to the fact that the car is here to stay.

"If it cannot accept this fact and provide either free or reasonable car parking, then it must accept the consequences of people not shopping in Bolton town centre and thus the town gradually becoming a ghost town.

"Due to Bolton's stance on car parking, I refuse to shop in the town centre and do all my shopping in out-of-town retail outlets."

Howard Boyd, of Longridge, Bromley Cross, said he was forced to close his business: "We continually heard stories of people who refused to come into Bolton because of high charges and the attitude of wardens.

"It eventually convinced us to pull the plug and cease trading.

"The town centre, which used to be a pleasure to visit with a good selection of quality shops, is now starting to look sad and is in continual decline."

Albert Hesketh, of Browlow Road, Horwich, said: "We avoid going to Bolton now as the parking charges are too high -- instead we now visit Wigan, Chorley or Middlebrook.

"These parking charges are driving customers away from Bolton. I feel sorry for all the businesses that have set up in the town."

Debra Temperley, of Ramwells Brow, Bromley Cross, said: "This town will soon be a ghost town!"

Drivers in neighbouring towns have confirmed they are staying away. M J Bradshaw, of Halsall Close, Bury, said: "My wife works in Bolton and we used to shop in Bolton.

"But parking charges and conditions in Bolton now make us shop in Bury."

"It's time for Bolton Council to to wake up."