CRAVEN District Council wants the views of residents, businesses and employers on its approach to car parking.

Some fundamental changes are being proposed including the introduction of residents' parking schemes in Skipton.

If implemented, commuters who park on Skipton's streets for more than two hours will have to find somewhere else to park.

From April 1, the authority is proposing to increase the cost of a residents' long-stay car parking permit from £100 to £150 and for short-stay (up to three hours) from £20 to £30. For non-residents a long stay permit could increase from £300 to £400.

There are also proposals to increase the cost of the residents' long-stay permits substantially in the future to more accurately reflect the costs of car parking.

In addition, Craven District Council is investigating the use of car parks for short, medium or long stay.

Coun Paul English, chairman of the community services committee, said: "There is a real dilemma for us all in deciding the best way forward for both on-street and off-street car parking.

"If residents' parking is introduced in Skipton, this will mean the displacement of cars that now park on town centre streets. We can't be sure that the existing car parks will cope with the demand.

"This is not just a council problem, it is a problem that the whole community will have to be involved in solving. We are taking the first steps in this by asking the overview and scrutiny committee to carry out a review."

A special meeting has been has been scheduled for Wednesday February 15 at 6pm and in the meantime the council is seeking views on the following questions:

Bearing in mind the present car parking facilities, how is it best to tackle the problems, particularly those in Skipton?

Is continuing to subsidise car parking permits the right way forward? If so, why?

By how much should car parking permits be subsidised in percentage terms?

Should employers be required to provide car parking for employees or should Craven District Council provide car parking for working people?

If you parks on streets on which you do not live, what do you see as your options for the future if residents' parking schemes are introduced?

If you use a car regularly to drive to work or go shopping, would you use public transport if there was a better service?

Anyone wanting to take part in the review can do so by writing to: Craven District Council, Car Parking Review, Council Offices, Granville Street, Skipton, BD23 1PS or via the website www.cravendc.gov.uk.