A local resident is very angry as she believes that some Ross residents will have to 'pay to be able to vote'.

They have to vote at Ross Swimming Pool which means that if they drive to their polling station they will have to pay to park in the Red Meadow car park, which is owned by Herefordshire Council.

She said this ward has a very elderly population and walking, especially if they live on the hill will be too much for many. She told the Ross Gazette that they will not be able to vote unless they drive and then pay for parking.

She said, “I wonder how many people will drive away or just not turn up to vote. This could even effect the outcome of the election.”

She added, “I hope everyone realises how important this election is and everyone should be encouraged to vote, not discouraged.”

Lucy Hurds, the Lib Dem candidate, told the Ross Gazette that she is very concerned about this. She has contacted the electoral office to say that she thinks it is very unfair that people should have to pay to park to be able to vote. She said, “People should not be penalised if they are trying to vote.”

A spokesperson for Anna Coda, the Labour party candidate, told the Ross Gazette that the labour party is looking into the matter but feel it is totally unacceptable.

The Conservative candidate, Jesse Norman, spoke to the Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council and suggested the Council waives any parking charges for those using the car park to vote.

He said, “Voting is a fundamental right and a democratic privilege. Voting does not take long, so this (waiving the charges for those voting) should not create any loss of revenue to the Council from existing customers.”

Jim Kenyon, the Independent candidate, told the Ross Gazette that it was very short sighted of Herefordshire Council. He said, "On election days there should be free parking in any carparks connected to polling stations."Other candidates in the election for Hereford and South Herefordshire were also contacted for comments by the Ross Gazette, as well as Herefordshire Council.UPDATE; Rob Perkins, the spokeperson for Anna Coda, told the Ross Gazette that she had spoken to the electoral services manager and the parking attendents will be asked to show discretion towards people who are parking to vote, but he added this is not an ideal solution.UPDATE; A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council has confirmed that parking enforcement officers will allow drivers time to vote if they park in the Red Meadow car park. The spokesperson said: "Two polling stations are located within Herefordshire Council car parks; Ross-on-Wye swimming pool (Red Meadow) and The Master’s House in Ledbury (St Katherine’s). Parking enforcement officers will take show discretion at these two council-controlled car parks, to allow motorists time to vote without having to purchase a pay and display ticket. Normal car park rules apply at all other council public car parks across the county."