The residents of Mitcheldean and surrounding areas are still furious over the imposition of car parking charges in the village and are only too eager to sign the protest petition form. So far 700 signatures have been made and the outlook is that there will be 2,000 obtained during the next couple of months

How can the Cabinet ignore this?

There is great concern over the continuing livlihood of the small local shops and some feel it could be the death knell for some.

The florist, the butcher, the estate agent, the hairdresser, the greengrocer, the post office, the doctors surgery, the Chinese takeaway, the library and the pizza parlour are all displaying the protest forms and seeking signatures.

The traffic in the village High Street is in chaos at peak times due to people boycotting the car park and parking everywhere.

Listed below are some of the comments made on the Protest Forms:

•How can the Cabinet ignore the full council!

•The council need to encourage business in the village not destroy it.

•20p my a___se!! – For two minutes.

•Another nail in the local shops' coffin.

•Stupid-crazy to charge in a small village like Mitcheldean.

•It's a disgrace!!

•It puts 25p on a loaf of bread.

•Staff and patients working at the doctors' surgery are suffering.

•Causes dangerous traffic in the High Street.

•Can't go to church easily any more because of the congestion.

•Is our local councillor Brian Robinson supporting us or not?

•The council can't compare us with Newent. They have loads more shops.

•Can't park! Don't stop! Don't shop!

•I use shops in Mitchel­dean but if you have to pay to park it will kill the village businesses.

There are 675 more comments which could be recorded and many are unprintable.

The villagers and all customers will not give up until the parking charges are cancelled or responsibility handed to the parish council who have offered to manage it without making public charges.

– Mitcheldean petition co-ordinator.