A LONG-awaited report into the impact of parking charges on Forest towns and villages will be debated tomorrow (Thursday).

The Forest Council set up a cross-party group to examine what effect charges have had on visits to Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney, Mitch­­el­­dean and Newent and their impact on businesses.

It comes as the Labour group on the council announced it would scrap parking charges if it wins the election next year.

The cross-party report showed that parking charges, along with the economic downturn, were seen by local businesses as the main reason for a decline in trade.

But a telephone survey of 500 "representative" Forest residents and an internet questionnaire which anyone could complete found the cost of the parking came lower in the list of reasons than the quality and variety of shops for people not visiting local towns.

The results of the survey will be presented to councillors at the meeting of the full council

The council agreed a motion in July last year to set up a cross-party group to carry out a community impact assessment "to ensure a fair and thorough review."

A report to be presented by chair of the all-party group Cllr Marion Winship (Independent Alliance, Alvington, Aylburton and West Lydney) calls on the council's Cabinet – which sets car parking policy – to take "careful account" of the survey when deciding future policy.

The cross-party group also asks that the findings are shared with the five towns to discuss how best to involve businesses and other groups in tackling the issues raised in the report.

Around three-quarters of those who answered the telephone survey said they were visiting local towns as often as they did two years ago and 82 per cent said they go in at least weekly.

The cost of parking came behind "poor quality" shops and age and mobility among those who are making fewer visits.

When asked directly about charges 61 per cent of businesses said they had affected takings.

Among traders the main issues facing the towns are the cost of parking, marketing tourist facilities, vacant shops and the condition of buildings.

The vice-chairman of the cross-party group was Cllr Ian Whitburn (no group, Mitcheldean and Drybrook) who will put a motion to the council tomorrow calling for parking charges in Mitcheldean to be scrapped.

His motion calls on the Cabinet to "respect the democratic will of the full council as originally expressed in December 2012 and remove the charges from the district council-owned car park in the village of Mitcheldean with immediate effect."

Meanwhile in an unexpected move the Labour group on the council announced a pledge to scrap the charges if it takes control of the authority after the elections in May 2015.

Group leader Cllr Di Martin (Lab, Cinderford East) said: "The Labour group of councillors has made a commitment that should they form an administration after the next election in 2015 car parking charges will be abolished."

Cllr Martin said at this stage they could not say how the change would be paid for but the council would have to be "creative" in funding car parking.

She said: "We have made this announcement so people are clear about what we want to do."

Although councillors have made the pledge it will have to be formally ratified by the Forest Constituency Labour Party before it becomes part of Labour's election manifesto.