COUNCILLORS are to decide this week whether to accept controversial plans to introduce car parking charges in Monmouthshire towns in the wake of opposition from more than 8,000 people.

Monmouthshire councillors received 10 petitions with 8,103 signatures and a further 350 letters of complaint.

Criticism has come after the cabinet released a raft of proposals for a shake-up of car parking in the county, the most controversial of which is to impose charging in all previously free car parks.

The council has already phased in an increase in charges where they already existed, with the cost of two-hour parking rising from 30p to 60p. It now wants to charge the same fee in free car parks and stop 24-hour parking.

The council estimates the scheme could bring in an extra £180,000 a year, which would plug a hole in the 2005/ 2006 budget. The council's cabinet will meet to decide whether to go ahead with the second stage on Wednesday.

But traders claim the charges could kill business in their towns as shoppers desert them in favour of free parking elsewhere. Usk residents and traders are particularly concerned.

Former chairman of the Usk Chamber of Trade David Sansom said: "We are a collection of small niche trading shops with no big name stores to speak of. I believe that if car parking charges are introduced it could have a serious detrimental effect on business."

In Abergavenny, market traders are concerned that proposals for short-stay parking will affect the viability of their trade.

While residents in Caldicot fear charges will have a detrimental effect on low-paid office and shop workers.

Head of highways for the council David Harris said: "We have had a lot of responses to the traffic order that was published in July.

"The main issue is extending charges to car parks that are currently free. This is an issue that has raised a lot of interest and I wasn't surprised with the level of reaction.

"If the levels of objection are of such contention the council can choose to hold a public inquiry."