Plans by Bradford Council to make motorists pay for more than 240 parking spaces around the city centre sparked fury today.

The proposal was described as the "nail in the coffin" by traders and businesses.

But the Council said the plan was meant to tackle the serious problems caused by many motorists leaving their cars all day on streets at the edge of the main shopping area.

Officers claim businesses have problems getting deliveries because of obstructions and badly parked vehicles slow the traffic flow even more in the congested city.

Traffic orders have now been advertised for the charges, which are part of a new parking strategy for the city centre agreed by the Council in January.

It also included proposals for freezing short term city centre street car parking charges and a three-month pilot scheme to provide free car parking after 3.30pm in Westgate car park.

The Council says the strategy is designed to encourage shoppers and visitors and give priority to short term parking. Extra income would be used to improve parking facilities.

People have until noon on August 9, to object to the traffic orders advertised for the new charges. The representations will be considered by the Council.

But today, John Pennington, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "These new charges are disgusting and disgraceful. I am very much opposed to any further charges for parking in the city centre.

"Businesses are moving out and this is just the thing to make things worse. It gives totally the wrong message to shoppers and visitors."

Anthony Ackroyd, treasurer of the former John Street Market Traders' Association - now the Oastler Shopping Centre - said: "I think any further charging is absolutely wrong. People are going to go where it is free. This is the worst thing that could happen and the Council needs to think again."

Mary Frame, executive member of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said she was also opposed to further charges.

"We need to attract people into Bradford and this is absolutely the worst way to do it," she said.

But Councillor David Ford, leader of the Council's Green Party group, said: "If motorists want the luxury of using a car, they must accept they will have to pay for it. The Council should have talks with the bus companies, however, about integrated transport into the city."

The issue has sparked the second major row between the Council and traders over parking charges.

Five years ago there was huge opposition to plans to make motorists pay for 150 short term spaces which had previously been free. The charges went ahead, however.

The new proposals cover parts of Thornton Road, Sunbridge Road, Snowden Street, Nelson Street, Edward Street, Filey Street, and New Augustus Street.

The Council wants to charge 50p for up to two hours, and £1.50 for any longer period. The charges will be made between 8am and 6pm, from Monday to Saturday. Waiting would be limited to ten hours.

The Council also intends to ban parking at any time on lengths of Akam Road, Filey Street, New Augustus Street, Nelson Street, Snowden Street, Sunbridge Road, and Vaughan Street.

There would also be no parking between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday on parts of Edward Street and Snowden Street.

Executive member for the environment Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: "The strategy is designed to improve things but if traders have concerns I will be glad to discuss them."