ENRAGED retailers have accused council bosses of political skulduggery over the introduction of Sunday car parking charges.

Traders claim Kirklees Council's Tory Cabinet was due to rubber stamp the charges at its meeting next week.

But they say the decision has now been put back until after the May 3 election to avoid a voter backlash.

The suggestion has been denied by the Cabinet's transport chief.

It comes after Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership members David Whittle and Tony Coletta broke ranks to lambast the proposals.

Mr Whittle, of King Street fashion store Peter's, said: "This is absolutely a political decision and it stinks.

"They are clearly worried about the aggravation it will cause so close to the election.

"These charges will have a massive impact.

"They are messing with people's livelihoods and the decision has clearly already been made."

Mr Coletta, who owns Occasions giftware at Market Avenue, said he had received a letter from the council saying the decision had been put back.

He said: "They clearly haven't got the courage of their convictions to set this in stone before the election.

"We are very disappointed. It has been delayed and delayed and the fact that it will now take place after the election is very convenient."

The charges, to be imposed in June, will start after noon on Sundays and will be 50p an hour or £1 for four hours.

John Beardall, manager of the Piazza Shopping Centre, has added his voice to the chorus of concerns.

He said: "We are afraid that a lot of the good work that has been done over the last few years will be undone. It is a major issue."

Clr Martyn Bolt, the Cabinet member for environment and transport, denied there had been any political double-dealing.

He said amended proposals for Sunday charging were agreed by full council in February.

Cabinet would simply rubber-stamp the decision.

He said: "The opportunity for any changes came and went in February.

"The timing of its coming to Cabinet is irrelevant.

"The idea that there's been any political skulduggery is misguided."

He said he had not seen any Cabinet papers suggesting the decision was due to be considered before the elections.

He added: "I think this is just a lack of understanding about the political process."

An Examiner online poll at www.examiner.co.uk showed overwhelming opposition to Sunday parking charges.

We asked visitors: "Are Sunday parking charges for Huddersfield town centre a good idea?"

Of more than 100 people who had voted by yesterday, 87.7% said `no'.