Up to 40 businesses from the Market Place have written to the Standards Committee asking for a full investigation into HDC’s handling of the issue, which is causing considerable concern to traders, employees and customers in the town.

In the letter, organised by Jonathan Roberts, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the town, the campaigners ask how much effort has gone into looking at alternatives to car parking charges.

Jonathan Roberts, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the town who has been leading the campaign said:

“We understand that the council have run out of money, and that they need to find a way of raising some revenue.  But we need to know that these charges, which could potentially be so destructive for our town, are not being brought in on a whim. 

I am hoping that the Council can offer evidence of a significant attempt to avoid car parking charges.  If there has been no serious effort to find an alternative, however, people in Thirsk will justifiably feel angry.

In a further move, Jonathan and Thirsk Town Councillor Jan Marshall have written to the Council’s external auditors for an assessment on HDC’s management of its finances.

Jonathan added:  “The Council should know by now that campaigners in Thirsk, and elsewhere across the district, will leave no stone unturned in our bid to protect our town. 

For more information on Jonathan's campaigns in Thirsk click here