PLANS to reduce the short-stay period in Evesham car parks to a two-hour maximum will have a 'catastrophic effect', say pensioners.

The warning over reduced times at Merstow Green and Somerfield car parks came from members of Evesham's University of the Third Age and the Evesham and District Pensioners Association (EDPA).

Both groups have organised petitions urging Wychavon District Council to reconsider.

EDPA chairman Fred Kaler said: "The effect of restricting parking will have a catastrophic effect on people who attend clubs and societies, visitors, shoppers and people generally going about their activities.

"If the council reduces the time from four hours, people shopping or those who have trouble walking will have difficulty.

Evesham's U3A members have already submitted a petition, signed by more than 150 people, to Wychavon.

In a letter of reply, council leader Martin Jennings claimed the decision would not affect the majority of users but would help utilise the long stay car parks.

U3A chairman Barbara Bryant said: "This decision is going to go right through the social structure of the town. All our meetings are two hours so we will have to shorten them or people will not turn up.

"It will affect people going to the library or Wallace House - people are not going to bother going into town."