Parking charges 'could kill Dingwall'

The contentious proposal is part of a wider plan to generate income for cash-strapped Highland Council and ensure consistency across the region.

The local authority is currently again consulting with the public on its priorities ahead of the latest round of cuts.

Councillor Margaret Paterson (Dingwall and Seaforth) warned charges would “decimate” the High Street.

She remains hopeful that Highland Council will perform a U-turn in light of public opposition and called for “common sense” from the local authority.

She said: “We struggle to keep people in our small towns as it is because it is so easy for them to go to the retail parks and shopping centre in Inverness.

“We want people to shop in our High Street. If you don’t have a High Street you don’t have a town.”