Car parking charges in the Wyre Forest are due to rise by up to a quarter in some cases – sparking fury from the area’s shoppers and traders.

Many council-run car parks will see charges increase by 20 pence to £1.

Prices for a three-hour stay or over in Dog Lane in Bewdley will go up to £4.90, a rise of 40 pence.

The announcement of the price hikes could not have come at a worse time according to Kidderminster’s Town Centre Partnership Chairman Peter Picken.

He claims the charges will hit festive trade in the area.

He said: “The increase is 25 per cent in some cases which is quite considerable.

“It’s also not a good time as it will hit Christmas trade which is when a lot of people need to do well.

“I know charges have to be made at some time but 25 per cent is higher than what we would have wanted.”

A one-hour stay in Bromsgrove Street, Aldi and Pike Mills both in New Road along with Castle Road in Kidderminster will go up from 60 pence to 70 pence.

For a two-hour stay the charge will go up from 80 pence to £1, three hours from £1.60 to £1.80 and for more than three hours motorists will fork out £3.50, a rise of 10 pence.Ê