Plans to introduce on-street parking charges have been branded a “tax on shopping” by angry traders.

The Department for Regional Development (DRD) wants to raise millions of pounds in revenue by bringing in parking charges in 30 towns.

Limavady is one of them. Traders are worried about the impact the proposed charges will have on their businesses.

The Belfast Telegraph is backing the traders with its Park The Charges campaign.

Roe Valley Chamber of Commerce chairman Philip Kingston said DRD minister Conor Murphy would achieve his revenue target faster by encouraging people into towns.

Mr Kingston said: “We were first made aware that Limavady was among the market towns the minister had targeted for these charges by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association and we were very concerned, naturally, about the impact they will have, not just in Limavady but in all market towns.

“We have written to the leaders of the main political parties and we have arranged a meeting for Tuesday, April 19 for traders, to which all the candidates who are standing for election are invited, and we will lobby them and will want to know where they stand on these proposed charges.

“These charges are ridiculous and totally unnecessary in Limavady, where parking is not an issue,” Mr Kingston said.