Parking fee increase 'to catch up with inflation'

Car parking charges look set to rise for the second year running in Worcester.

Fees had remained steady for the previous 14 years but the city council said it was now looking to "catch up on inflation levels".

The price of an individual ticket on car parks owned by the city council is set to go up by about 6%, rounded to the nearest 10p. Season tickets are also set to go up by 6%.

City councillors are due to discuss the plans at a meeting of the policy and resources committee on Tuesday.

Meeting papers said: "This price increase of 6% aims to catch up on inflation levels, having not increased fees every year previously."

A final decision will be made at full council on 18 February.

Under the plans, parking on Copenhagen Street, Cornmarket or Providence Street car parks - Worcester's most expensive "red zone" car parks - would cost £1.70 for an hour instead of £1.60, £3.40 for two hours instead of £3.20, and £4.50 for three hours instead of £4.20.

Parking up to six hours would cost £8.50, up from £8, and parking for 24 hours would cost £11.20, up from £10.60.

Prices at "amber" car parks – Cattle Market, King Street, Newport Street, St Martin's Gate, Clare Street and Commandery Road – are set to increase by between 10p and 40p.

And the cost of parking in "green zone" car parks – Pitchcroft, Tallow Hill, Tybridge Street and Croft Road – could go up by between 10p and 30p. It will remain free to park for up to an hour.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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