FRESH plans to start charging at currently-free car parks in Cross Hills look dead in the water after they failed to win the support of the highways authority.

Introducing pay and display in Cross Hills – and Bentham – car parks would be rejected because of vehicles being displaced elsewhere, Craven Council's select committee heard.

Members will now recommend to the decision-making policy committee that the plans be dropped.

County and district councillor David Ireton said the highways authority had made its position clear.

"To me it is black and white," he said.

"North Yorkshire will not support it. They have said they will not sign off the road traffic orders and without that support, we cannot go ahead."

Cllr Ireton added it would be up to the council's policy committee to make the final decision.

Committee vice-chairman Cllr Dav id Staveley said he would like to have further discussions with a highways officer to understand the reasoning in order to make an informed decision.

But Sutton councillor Ken Hart said it was perfectly clear and no more time should be wasted looking into charging.

"We need to put this to bed now," he said. "We've discussed it at least twice before, and I can't see any reason for wasting any more time on it."

The proposals were discussed in August at policy committee, when a recommendation to go ahead was deferred following large scale opposition from traders and councillors in both Cross Hills and Bentham.

Charging was proposed in Cross Hills at Hall Street and Milligans Field car parks.