A VILLAGE parking row is set to continue despite a 400-name petition being handed in to councillors.

Traders, led by QVM charity shop manager Jean Mafham, handed in the petition against introducing parking charges for St Martin’s Road car park in Knebworth.

The charges are set to be introduced next month, but the Knebworth parking review is continuing with residents and businesses being consulted on whether yellow lines, meters or parking permits should be throughout the village.

Councillor Tom Brindley, North Herts District Council portfolio holder for transport, said: “The council made the decision to charge for parking at St Martin’s car park in Knebworth in 2009, following representations from traders who wanted to make more spaces available for shoppers.

“The car park is frequently clogged up by long stay parking. We’ve no plans to review this decision.

“We’ve recently invested over �20,000 on resurfacing the car park and I believe businesses in Knebworth will benefit from the changes, as shoppers will find it easier to find a space to park.”

He added: “As part of the Knebworth Area Wide Parking Review, NHDC is now planning traffic regulation orders to control the surrounding streets and will be consulting the public about these.

“The on-street parking measures are in the very early days and there is no definitive list of streets or a timetable in place yet.

“NHDC gathered information last summer and will be consulting the public on a number of options in due course.”

Mrs Mafham, from the charity shop, added even more parking charges would be disastrous for the shopping parade.