AN attempt to start charging at one of Gargrave's currently free car parks has been scrapped.

Craven councillors learned at the end of last year that either North Street or West Street was the only car park in Gargrave, Cross Hills or Bentham where charges were likely to be accepted by the highways authority.

But that plan has been scrapped after Craven District Council's policy committee unanimously agreed not to pursue it further.

At last week's meeting, councillors said it would appear Gargrave was being singled out .

They had already agreed to go along with the findings of the select committee not to pursue charging in Hall Street and Milligans Field, Cross Hills and at Cleveland Square and Grasmere Drive, Bentham.

Ward councillors for both Bentham and Cross Hills welcomed the decisions and added charging would impact on both businesses and residents.

Councillors heard that Gargrave Parish Council and residents had been very against charging in one of the car parks, both of which were used by both visitors and residents.

It was feared that a business due to open in the High Street had been scared off by the plans and one resident had taken the step of painting his own parking space on the road outside his house.

Cllr Robert Heseltine (Ind) said it would not be worth the officer time needed to bring in charging to Gargrave.

"Gargrave could be seen to be victimised in this, parking on the A65 is already a dangerous pastime and this will make it worse, I don't think it is worth a candle to proceed," he said.

And Cllr Philip Barrett (Ind) added: "To pursue Gargrave is just penny-pinching, it needs leaving alone. We've had a good look at charging, but we need to look at the wider issues."

Gargrave ward councillor Alan Sutcliffe (Cons) said the situation in Gargrave was the same as in Cross Hills and Bentham and that free parking needed to be kept for the good of businesses and residents.

And fellow ward councillor Simon Myers (Cons) warned visitors would not pay to park, they would just use residential streets.

"I think we would have to bring in residents parking and I believe it would mean chaos on the High Street. It is all very well looking for ways of increasing revenue and making savings, but I don't think this is the way to do it."