The scheme is to encourage people to use public transport

Chamber president Mark Gill says the Traffic Committee's proposals for a 15p an hour rate to stay in St Peter Port's long-stay car park should be opposed in the December States meeting.

Mr Gill says it is not the price, but the principle the group objects to.

The topic of paid parking has been debated in the House for several years. The Traffic Committee is proposing to use it as part of a strategy to get motorists off the roads and onto public transport.

Price rises

However, the Chamber says that even if paid parking cost just a penny an hour, it would be opposed to it.

Mr Gill thinks the 15p an hour rate could be so low that it will be uneconomical to collect. The Chamber also believes the price is likely to rise further.

The Traffic Committee plans to use the proceeds to improve the bus service, but Mr Gill thinks that is still unlikely to have any impact on congestion.

He says with 300 people going on the bus every day and 20,000 by car and van, there is a long way to go for the Traffic Committee to find a strategy that will work to ease congestion in town.