ABERGAVENNY traders have pledged £3,000 towards legal costs in the bid to overturn the controversial decision by Monmouthshire County Council to introduce parking charges.

This comes as Abergavenny town councillors voted to join Usk and Chepstow councils in the campaign to save free car parks and support a judicial review.

All five chambers of trade have given their backing and last week Abergavenny Chamber of Trade (ACT) agreed to put £3,000 in the fighting fund.

Trader John Bannon, said: "We, as traders, are really concerned about Monmouthshire County Council and the way they are leading this authority in this decision."

Mr Bannon also accused MCC of "making an absolute mockery of the consultation process".

Hugh Candler urged ACT to "pledge £3,000 and make a statement". Along with Ray Hill, mayor of Abergavenny, and Liz Fleming, mayor of Usk, Chepstow's mayor, Cllr Armand Watts, is heading the fight by the three town councils.

The county council estimates its entire reorganisation of parking charges will bring in an extra £180,000 a year, which would plug a hole in the 2005/6 budget.

The town councils have instructed a solicitor to write to Monmouthshire County Council, asking it to reverse its decision to impose the car-parking charges, and criticising its failure to hold a public inquiry.

The councils claim the proposals were "railroaded" through, despite hundreds of letters and ten petitions bearing a total of 8,103 signatures. Usk mayor Cllr Liz Fleming said the aim of legal action was to ensure the overturning of the county council's decision to introduce car parking charges, and hold a public inquiry.

At the time of going to press, the councils had not received a response from the county council to their solicitor's letter.

Andy Hinksman, president of ACT, said the charges were having a "massive" effect on businesses.

"Basically, people are having to pay 60p just to pop into town for a stamp now," he said.

Monmouthshire county councillor Graham Down said the town councils were perfectly within their rights to seek legal action.

He said: "We are confident they will not succeed, but they are entitled to take whatever legal means they wish."