On-street car parking charges will be the final nail in the coffin of Northern Ireland's flagging high street, traders have warned.

That's why the Belfast Telegraph is joining forces with small retailers to oppose the controversial payment scheme in 30 towns and cities across the province.

Our new campaign - 'Park The Charges' - precedes a public consultation on the issue and aims to prevent the introduction of a measure traders believe will kill their livelihoods in these straitened times.

The Department for Regional Development (DRD) has said it aims to introduce the parking levy next year in order to raise £37 million annually.

It means the extension of an on-street fee system that is already operational in three cities - Newry, Lisburn and Belfast.

Across all 30 of the towns and cities affected by the new proposals, traders have warned that the payment scheme will kill off town centre shops already left reeling by a series of out-of-town retail applications.

Glyn Roberts, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA), said the move would spell disaster for our fragile retail hubs.

"This could be the last nail in the coffin for our town centres," he said. "We need more consumers to come into our towns, so this is definitely not the way forward.

"It's another stealth tax, it's a tax on town centre usage and that is the last thing we in Northern Ireland need."

Shopkeepers have already voiced their widespread concern at the Government's controversial plans, and there is also an ongoing debate as to whether the current time limit from 8am to 6pm in all town parking zones should be extended.

Belfast Telegraph editor Mike Gilson said it was time to support local retailers and preserve the fabric of Northern Ireland's economy.

"The high street is the lifeblood and the commercial and cultural heart of our cities and towns," he said. "We know many traders are struggling at the moment. Car parking charges are the last thing they need, especially as the proposals will only raise a small amount of revenue in the grand scheme of things.

"If we act now we can stop this happening and thereby avoid making one of the costliest mistakes for Northern Ireland on both a social and economic level.

"The decision to roll out a payment scheme is reversible, but the damage in the long-term may not be."

Previously, DRD said its budget proposals for 2011-15 included plans to increase parking fines and extend on-street parking fees.

Just last week Tesco was given the green light to open a huge 80,000 sq ft out-of-town store near Banbridge amid controversy.

Objectors have claimed the development will damage the town centre. However, advocates of the superstore have said it will add to the Co Down town's total commercial offering.

If the parking charges go ahead, it will be yet another blow for hard-pressed motorists struggling with record fuel and insurance prices.

What we are calling for...

The Belfast Telegraph is urging the next DRD Minister to scrap plans to introduce on-street car parking charges in towns across Northern Ireland.

Traders across the province have already expressed through this paper serious concerns about the impact that this plan could have on the character of our town centres. At a time of economic difficulties the Stormont executive should be supporting our local retailers and recognising the vital role they play in the economy.