HARLESTON is pushing ahead with plans to lease its two car parks from the district council to keep them free from parking charges.The town council has backed proposals to enter into a lease with South Norfolk Council with the cost being spread across council tax and business rate payers.

HARLESTON is pushing ahead with plans to lease its two car parks from the district council to keep them free from parking charges.

The town council has backed proposals to enter into a lease with South Norfolk Council with the cost being spread across council tax and business rate payers.

The move follows widespread opposition to plans by the local authority to introduce parking fees at Harleston for the first time.

Town council chairman Sue Kuzmic said the car parks committee's recommendation had been agreed in principle and the next stage would be to write to surrounding parish councils asking them to support the initiative.

She said: "This was our only solution to keep the car parks free. We feel that the majority of people in the town wanted to keep the car parks free, not only to support businesses and people who work in the town, but because it would have changed the atmosphere of the town if charges had been introduced."

She said Bullock Fair car park is soon to be resurfaced, the work being carried out and paid for by South Norfolk Council as part of its maintenance programme. The authority will continue to undertake litter collection, management of the toilets, surface water drainage issues and pay the business rates on the car parks. It is estimated the initiative will cost £20,000 a year.