FURY over new car parking charges at Yate train station gathered steam this week as the Rail Passenger Council confirmed no public consultation had taken place.

The council also objected to the £2 daily parking charge that will come into force on Monday.

The admissions came to light in a letter to rail passenger, Kerr Brown, from the Rail Passenger Council.

In the letter, assistant secretary for RPC Western England Gillian Mayhew said a formal meeting had been held by Wessex trains and the council to discuss car parking charges in general.

She said: "At this meeting Wessex Trains made reference to implemented charges for car parking at stations in the Bristol commuter area and in Cornwall.

"The RPC stated their objections to this as the charges proposed increased the cost of travel for passengers from anywhere between 57 percent to 120 percent in some areas.

"The RPC were concerned that the implementation of these charges could in fact deter passengers from travelling by rail rather than working towards the Government's objectives of encouraging modal shift to rail."

Yate town and South Gloucestershire councillor Sue Walker expressed her dismay at the decision especially after South Gloucestershire Council had invested money to improve access to the station.

She said the move by Wessex Trains went against council attempts to improve use of public transport.

"What is most disappointing is that there was no consultation with the town council, South Gloucestershire Council, residents or rail users about these changes."

She stressed that issues brought on by the charges would go beyond passengers being out of pocket.

Cllr Walker, a former Yate mayor, told the Gazette that traders near the station were concerned about the effect the charges could have on business.

She said: "There is very limited parking along Station Road and the concern is that if these charges are brought in people will not bother using the shops in the area as there will be nowhere for them to stop."

Community leaders, including Northavon MP Steve Webb, have pledged to fight the charges.

Mr Webb told the Gazette: "I will be lobbying the parent company - National Express - who own Wessex Trains - to make sure they realise what ill-will is being created."

A spokesman for Wessex Trains Lewis Hill said: "In 2004 Wessex Trains consulted with the Rail Passengers Council in regard to implementing car park charges at a number stations including Yate.

"We will continue to work with local authorities to improve local train services and facilities in the area."