CAR parks are a ?cash cow? for West Devon Borough Council, a leading Tavistock businessman claimed this week. The comment came as the borough increased its already expensive car parking fees ? the second rise in ten months. All parking fees ending with 5p are set to be rounded up to eliminate operational problems with small coins jamming up the machines ? a move which will result in an extra £11,000 income. In town centre car parks in Tavistock and Okehampton the 30-minute stay charge will increase to 50p and cars parking for up to one hour will be charged 90p ? 30p more than car parks in North Cornwall and Torridge. Rural car parks like Hatherleigh and Chagford will be 30p and 60p for a 30-minute and one-hour stay respectively. All rises will take effect from June 1. Tavistock and District Chamber of Commerce said it was dismayed at a further increase: ?This does nothing but reinforce the viewpoint that the borough council regards its car parks as a cash cow to be milked as and when necessary,? said chamber secretary Guy Talbot. He said the chamber was disappointed at the lack of progress on various proposals which had been discussed with the borough council and other interested parties about modernising parking charges throughout Tavistock. ?In particular, it is most frustrating that no significant progress seems to be being made on the question of a pay on exit charge for Bedford Car Park,? he said. Chamber members were concerned the increase in charges would discourage shoppers from visiting the town, yet realise very little extra income for the council. John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, said: ?A five pence increase isn?t worth the cost of changing the machines, yet it will upset so many people ? it?s just not worthwhile.? Mr Taylor said he intended lobbying against the increase at a business rates forum being held in Tavistock on Tuesday night. ?I intend to lobby councillors and officers ? because it?s the officers that are taking the lead on this,? he said. Dave McDowall, of Kountry Kit in Tavistock, and a member of the chamber said: ?This is a real shock. I think the feeling from the chamber is that it?s over the top. ?They have hammered the car parks in Tavistock every year and it?s just not fair. ?If they are trying to kill the centre of Tavistock, it?s the right way to go about it ? the car parks are key to the survival of the town and we are much more expensive than anyone else around already.? Letters from Okehampton Chamber of Trade, Chagford Business Association and Hatherleigh Area Business Forum were also sent to the environment and community committee, all opposing the increases. August 2005 saw the last hike in parking fees although the proposed £1 hourly fee was reduced to 85p ? a 5p increase ? after a public outcry. Facilities contracts manager Cathy Aubertin said in recognition of the higher increases in previous years certain fees were introduced which ended in a 5p figure. ?Whilst this was done to reduce the increase to the car park user it has been noted by parking staff that the number of coin jams occurring in Pay and Display machines have increased,? she said. ?This appears to be because 5p coins become easily jammed by turning sideways within the coin slot.? There are ongoing negotiations with Tavistock Town Council over the feasibility of creating a 200-space car park at Pixon Lane and Devon County Council is consulting the public over a residents? parking scheme. The recommendation regarding parking fees will be considered by the borough?s strategy and resources committee shortly.