Shopkeepers have slammed proposed parking charges as a death threat to trade as councillors and residents edged close to a solution to years of car park misuse.

If approved in a final consultation, shoppers in Bushey Heath will pay between 40p and £5 to park in the two council car parks in The Rutts and opposite St Peter's Church. Businesses would have to pay up to £400 a year to use the car parks.

Back-and-forth arguing has stalled several previous attempts to introduce parking charges and put an end to local garages and workers using up the majority of spaces.

Adding her voice to those of many other local shopkeepers, Paula Hucklesby, owner of the Bunches Florist, said people would not visit the shopping parade if they had to pay.

She said: “Parking up here is already really really bad. During the road works it has been even worse and trade at all of the shops has taken a big hit.

“If you can't park you won't stop. If it is too much of a hassle to park and pay a charge people will just go elsewhere. If there are charges people will just go to Tesco where there is free car parking and not to their local butcher's, chemist or florist.”

She agreed that the car parks were currently being misused but said an hour of free parking would solve the problem and not affect the amount of people visiting the shops.

Earlier this year, people at a meeting of residents' group the Bushey Forum agreed that something needed to be done to solve the week-long blocking of car parks they argued was actually preventing them from using the shops.

Bushey Park Councillor Lynne Hodgson, a long-term campaigner for the introduction of parking charges in Bushey Heath said the changes were necessary and would help, not damage, local trade.

She said: “We can't have it both ways. We cant have people parking all day and residents complaining about it and if we control it people have to pay. We've tried everything and there is no other way.. “One half of the population wants it, the other half don't. We can't please everyone and have to do something.

“The local businesses will find they will actually have a greater throughput and footfall when there is a place for people to park.”

She added: “If the shopkeepers are complaining their staff won't have anywhere to park it is actually cheaper to get a permit than to get a bus from Watford every day.”

The proposed charges are 40p for up to one hour, 80p for one to two hours, £1.50 for two to three hours, £2 for three to four hours, £3 for four to five hours and £5 for over four hours.

Councillor Hodgson, currently the leader of the Hertsmere Liberal Democrats, urged residents in favour of the parking regulations to write in to counter the “small” but vocal group of objectors.

Any comments on the proposals can be sent to Glen Wooldrige Director of Environment, Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1WA by Friday May, 22, 2009.