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A CONTROVERSIAL "business only" parking scheme in South Street, Bishop's Stortford, has been given the go-ahead.

The decision was taken by East Herts Council's executive as the original decision to pass the scheme had been challenged by councillors who labelled it "utterly unfair".

A council spokesman said the scheme would go ahead as planned, but the council would review it and continue to look for alternative parking arrangments.

The plans will see 13 spaces reserved for business-only parking as part of a £1.7m scheme to build the new footpath over the River Stort.

The decision was taken in the face of strong local opposition from residents and Havers Lane Bowls Club - both of whom already compete with taxi firms for spaces on the road.

The council ignored the recommendation by the joint district and county council highways meeting in January, which suggested they introduce a parking ban during peak hours, including weekends, so users of the nearby bowls club can still use the spaces.

Club secretary Ann Lacey described the news as "devastating" adding: "We've been here for much longer than the businesses, over 100 years in fact, but we just seem to be getting ignored by the council, this is definitely making our future uncertain."

East Herts councillor Mione Goldspink has opposed the scheme from the start and said she was "disappointed" local feeling had been ignored.

She said; "I still think what's being done is wrong in principle, it's unfair that businesses should be given free parking while residents pay. It will increase congestion in what is already a very congested area."

3:22pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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