Leaders from almost all of Northern Ireland's main political parties have thrown their weight behind the Belfast Telegraph’s campaign to scrap controversial on-street parking charges.

Only Sinn Fein declined to back a call from this newspaper and scores of independent retailers to scrap a controversial proposal to introduce on-street parking fees in 30 towns and cities across Northern Ireland.

In an unprecedented move yesterday, 27 business organisations and representatives from chambers of commerce united against the measures.

And, in an open letter, reproduced below, they urged the leaders of the five main political parties, as well as the Greens and the TUV, to drop the revenue-raising measures if their party takes the DRD ministry after the election on May 5.

Signatories, including the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association; Pubs of Ulster; Ulster Chemists’ Association; Armagh City Centre Management; Derry City Traders’ Forum; Enniskillen Business Partnership; Larne Traders’ Forum; Down Business Forum, and Dungannon Traders’ Association officially launched the letter at Stormont yesterday.

Town chambers of commerce from Ards; Ballycastle; Ballymoney; Ballymena; Banbridge; Bangor; Carrickfergus; Coleraine; Cookstown; Lurgan; Roe Valley; Magherafelt; Newcastle; Strabane, Portadown and Omagh also supported the move.

And although the city is not affected, Belfast Chamber of Trade also backs the campaign.

“This a united call by 27 business organisations and chambers of commerce who represent small traders in all of the 30 towns that are earmarked for these additional car park charges,” said Glyn Roberts, Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association chief executive.

“Furthermore, given the extent of the opposition to these unfair charges, the DRD should drop plans to publish the consultation paper as small business owners, and indeed many consumers, have made their views loud and clear.

“The coming together of all these organisations is not just about our opposition to additional car park charges, it is the first step in the fightback against further decline in our town centres and we outline in the letter much work has to be done in getting a fair deal in planning and rates.

“In the coming weeks we will be seeking ways to see how we can build upon this co-operation for the benefit of our town centres.”

The Department for Regional Development has said it aims to introduce the parking levy next year in a bid to raise about £37m over a four-year period.

Mr Roberts added: “Given that it is unclear which party will hold the DRD ministerial position after the Assembly elections, it is vital that all parties outline their support for the rejection of these charges now. Indeed, we invite every election candidate to outline their views on these charges.

“To charge for this could be the final nail in the coffin for our town centres. These charges will force shoppers to go to out-of-town stores which offer free car parking. At a time when we should be encouraging more shoppers to visit our struggling town centres, this charge is simply wrong. “

What the parties say

DUP

“We want to see traffic management and parking arrangements put in place to encourage easy access and greater use of town centres. Any parking charges should only be justified by traffic management considerations and not simply to raise additional revenue.”

SDLP

“The SDLP is opposed to using on-street car parking charges as a blunt revenue-raising mechan-ism. There is no point in cutting back on public transport in rural areas and then hitting people with car parking charges.”

UUP

Tom Elliott said: “This could prove devastating for those businesses which barely survived the recession. At a time of rising fuel costs, and given the scarcity of public transport, I believe this proposal will come as another kick to local constituents.”

Alliance

Kieran McCarthy said: “I am fully behind these groups who are opposed to the increase in on-street car park charging. In this time when we should be doing all we can to support local businesses, I would urge the DRD to reconsider this issue.”

TUV

Jim Allister said: “It seems not satisfied with encouraging out-of-town developments, this DUP/Sinn Fein Executive is intent on further squeezing town centres by discouraging shoppers through charges. It is ridiculous shoppers should be put upon to pay for Stormont’s extravagance.”

Green Party

“This move is ill-conceived as it will drive money away from small, locally-owned businesses and encourage shoppers to go to out-of-town shopping centres.”

Sinn Fein did not respond despite requests for a comment.

But in an editorial for the Belfast Telegraph on March 24, Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy said: “Many people fear that making changes to parking will adversely affect a town's economy. The evidence suggests the opposite is the case. In fact, the experience locally where on-street parking measures have already been introduced shows there is no evidence these measures have had a detrimental impact on traders.”