Wokingham's opposition party has accused the borough’s Tory administration of putting party loyalty before the right decisions, as the row continues over car park charges.

Wokingham Liberal Democrats are furious after Wokingham Borough Council’s scrutiny committee ruled, after two meetings, that there was no reason to review the decision to increase prices.

The Lib Dems had “called in” the decision and the scrutiny committee looked at every aspect of how the decision was made, but the borough’s executive will not now review the decision.

Councillor Stephen Conway, deputy leader of the party, said: “The Lib Dems say increasing car parking charges in the current economic climate is completely wrong.

“The Tory leader of the council, David Lee, has been quoted saying it was important to support local traders.

“But he’s decided to increase the car parking charges; that is a very strange way of supporting our hard-pressed traders.”

Lib Dem leader Prue Bray added: “We were outnumbered by the Tory members, who decided party loyalty was more important than anything else and voted to support their colleagues’ decision to increase the charges.

“I am disgusted the Tories refused to listen to reason.

“Indeed, they didn’t listen to anybody’s views – they decided not to carry out any consultation at all.”

The decision not to review the charges means that from October, drivers will have to pay 60p to park for an hour and £1.20 for two hours in the council’s car parks.