VILLAGERS are up in arms after a pub installed pay and display in its car park in Ashton-on-Mersey, writes Peter Devine.

The Buck Inn pub, Green Lane, installed the machines with villagers claiming they had just two days notice of their installation, and since then, parking wardens have been slapping £50 fixed penalty notices on vehicles of unsuspecting motorists.

Fears have further emerged that the 24 hour parking charges, which range from £2 to £10, could hit independent businesses in the village.

Butcher Stephen Duckworth said: “The village is one of the few places left that has local shops, which are all independent retailers, and not High Street chains. It is this unique feel that attracts shoppers ,not only from the village, but also from further afield.

“These parking charges are extortionate and don’t reflect local parking charges in places like Urmston and Stretford.

“They will have a huge impact on local residents and damage trade dramatically for local business, which in turn could affect the viability of the village itself. It has the potential to turn our village into a ghost town.”

A crisis meeting was held among traders last Friday to discuss their next move to try to have the parking charges removed from the 60 space car park.

On Monday, the traders also had a heated confrontation with a parking attendant after warning an unsuspecting motorist that he faced being booked for failing to pay and display in the car park.

A spokesperson for the Buck Inn, said: “The car parking charges have been introduced as a large number of people were parking at the Buck Inn and were not patrons of the pub.

“As a result, customers of the pub were unable to park during peak periods such as lunchtime. Any customers of the pub will automatically receive a refund on their charges.”