COUNCIL leader Chris Robbins has hinted at the possibility of a retreat on car parking fees to help the borough's businesses during the recession.

Speaking at the annual State of the Borough debate, at Leyton Orient Football Club, Cllr Robbins said he had “a great deal of sympathy” with the view that parking is adversely affected businesses.

He said: “Many of us have seen the demise of corner shops, I live in Vicarage Road, and 25 years ago there were eight corner shops, now they have all gone except for one.

“That is now beginning to happen to our High Streets.”

But Cllr Robbins added: “I am not sure generally how it would be dealt with, there is an issue with traffic that we have to face.”

Any move to reduce or abolish parking charges will certainly be backed by the opposition Conservative group, whose leader Matt Davis has long criticised the council's parking policies, while Lib Dem leader John Macklin said the borough needs to think about why it charges for certain areas.

The borough has brought in more controlled parking zones and has increased parking charges in recent years.