MOTORISTS working or shopping in Salisbury are to be hit in the pocket by a hike in parking charges from the beginning of April.

Members of the district council's cabinet agreed a range of increased fees - including a ten percent rise in long-term parking - when they met last Wednesday.

And although only a recommendation at this stage the new charges are almost certain to be ratified when they go before the full council on February 18. The rises proposed are:

  • All-day charges in the city centre to increase from £5 to £5.50.
  • On-street charges, to be 50p for 15 minutes (previously 20p) £1 for 30 minutes (previously 50p), £1.50 for 45 minutes (previously £1) and £2 for 60 minutes (previously £1.50).
  • Sunday parking charges to increase from £1 to £2p per visit.
  • Park and ride to increase from £2 to £2.50 - but users of the recently introduced Zip cards will still pay £2 per day.

Cabinet members, however, decided to drop a controversial proposal to extend charging for evening parking to 8pm.