FRESH plans to start charging in some of Craven's currently free car parks have been dealt a severe blow after failing to win the support of the highways authority.

Introducing pay and display in Cross Hills and Bentham car parks would be rejected because of cars being displaced elsewhere, Craven District Council's select committee was told.

However, highways has not ruled out the possibility of charging in one of Gargrave's two free car parks.

Craven's scrutinising select committee, tasked with taking another look at charging, will now recommend to the decision-making policy committee that the plans should be dropped - apart from in Gargrave.

County and district councillor David Ireton (Cons) said the highways authority had made its position clear.

"To me, it is black and white. North Yorkshire will not support it. They have said they will not sign off the road traffic orders and without that support, we cannot go ahead," he said.

Cllr Ireton added it would be up to the council's policy committee to make the final decision.

"I don't think we have the power to say it is dead in the water, but we can say that to the policy committee," he said.

Committee vice-chairman Cllr David Staveley (Cons) said he would like to have further discussions with a highways officer to understand the reasoning in order to make an informed decision.

But Cllr Ken Hart (Ind) said it was perfectly clear and no more time should be wasted looking into charging.

"We need to put this to bed now. We've have discussed it at least twice before, and I can't see any reason for wasting any more time on it," he said.

The proposals were discussed in August at policy committee, when a recommendation to go ahead was deferred following large scale opposition from traders and councillors in both Cross Hills and in Bentham.

Charging was proposed in Cross Hills at Hall Street and Milligans Field car parks; in Bentham at Grasmere Drive and Cleveland Square; and in Gargrave at North Street and West Street.

Cllr Lin Barrington (Ind) said introducing charging in Bentham had been opposed by residents and traders not just in the town, but in surrounding communities.

She said much effort had been put into the town centre and charging in its car parks would have a devastating impact.

The select committee chose to approach both the highways authority and the police for their comments before it spent time looking at charging for the second time.

The highways authority said parking charges in Bentham would put pressure on residential streets and lead to inconsiderate parking, which could become a particular issue at the fire station and doctors' surgery.

In Cross Hills, charging would also result in inconsiderate parking by those using residential streets to avoid paying.

Charging in one of Gargrave's car parks would be acceptable, but not both.