CAR parking charge protestors again targeted the Forest of Dean District Council offices in Coleford, but were prevented by the police in efforts to block the access.

One woman was arrested for parking a car in the council car park but released shortly afterwards after agreeing to move it away from the entrance.

In torrential rain on Thursday the protest began at around 5pm when placard waving protestors gathered around the entrance. The protest then spilled out onto the roundabout by the main town centre car park.

Police moved the protestors on arguing that the entrance constituted a public road, and could not therefore be blocked to cars entering or leaving.

To a supporting chorus of car horns, the protest ended as councillors began to arrive for a full council meeting – which included taking public questions about the legality and effects of the car parking charges on the shops and businesses in Coleford, Lydney and Mitcheldean.

Deputy leader of the council, Brian Robinson, elicited hisses from the public seating area as he defended parking fees, saying the car parks were 'being well used'.

In reply to another public question on the damage that the charges had done to Mitcheldean in particular, Cllr Robinson said other car parking space was available and that the Parish Council were partly to blame for any parking problems in the town.

He also rejected calls for a full consultation with traders and businesses affected by the charges, and said: "The first three months' figures show that car parks are producing income to the level expected and being used in line with our projections."

He rejected suggestions by Cllr Paul McMahon that the closure of three shops in Coleford were directly attributable to the parking charges. He said the closures were "not linked" to the charges and "other factors" were responsible.

Cllr Robinson is a member of the five-strong Forest Council Cabinet which effectively steers council policy and actions – a managament structure that is now also coming in for close scrutiny in the light of the parking charge rows.

In a written statement given to the Review, Cllr McMahon said: "In July a trader rang me in tears stating that her business was in a terrible situation and she feared closure as her income had dropped 60 per cent. I can now report that this trader will close at the the end of the month with a loss of business, potentially her home, and a life destroyed – well done to the Cabinet.

"I felt totally helpless to support this trader – how can I? – like 43 other members I have no impact on the crucial decisions made by this Cabinet.

"The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council have both stated words to the effect that 'they'll soon get used to it' or 'it will soon settle down'. Well, trust me, it will never 'settle down', hence the demonstration tonight. Foresters do not like having decisions which drastically affect their lives imposed upon them against their wishes.

"There will be a day of reckoning and those who have driven forward this 'stealth tax' will be brought to account by the electorate, sooner rather than later. There is no hiding place – the clock is ticking."

The projected annual income for parking fees £130,900, the meeting was told.