WEST Devon residents are being urged to have their say over proposed increases in car parking fees in the borough, due to take effect in April. The consultation period began on February 9 and runs until March 3, during which time the council hopes as many people as possible will contact them to let them know their views. A spokesman for the council said: ?All representations about the proposed increases will be presented to councillors at the economic, leisure and community development committee on Tuesday March 8, before a decision is made on the issue.? The decision to increase the charges, in some cases by as much as 40%, enraged traders in Tavistock last month, when the rises were approved by the council?s policy committee. Businessmen and women in the town fear the rise, to £1 an hour in town centre car parks, will drive shoppers away from the town centre to further afield areas like Launceston and even Plymouth, where parking fees are cheaper. Councillors say they have been forced into making the move due to a lack of funding from central government. Without raising parking fees in this way, council tax would need to rise, putting the authority at risk of being capped by the Government, say members. To lessen the impact on residents, the council is to introduce a system of Smartcards, which will give users a discounted rate in car parks, the equivalent of the proposed fee increase. If approved, the proposed increases will come into affect from April 12. To take part in the consultation exercise, write to Cathy Aubertin, facilities contracts manager, at West Devon Borough Council, Kilworthy park, Tavistock PL19 0BZ.