Controversial new Sunday parking charges could finally be introduced in a Black Country town by the end of the summer, it has emerged today.

Transport chiefs at Walsall Council have revealed they are to publicise the prices for the money-spinning plan within the next few weeks. The charges are among a series of measures to claw back money for the cash-strapped council, which recently revealed it needs to save £12.8 million in 2009 to 2010. It comes after daily parking charges also shot up.

Paul Leighton, group leader for traffic and transportation at Walsall Council, said: “The process to change parking arrangements is controlled by legislation and requires us to advertise the proposals for at least 21 days before being introduced.

“Detailed proposals are being finalised and will be publicised in the local press and at every car park where the charges will apply in the next few weeks,” he added.

All-day parking on Walsall Council-run spaces has already risen from £3.60 to £5 – an increase of nearly 38 per cent – sparking anger among traders earlier this year.

Four-hour parking charges went from £2.90 to £4, while a three-hour stay at one of the council’s 18 car parks cost £3, up from £2.20.

The possibility of making it easier to pay to park by maybe using debit cards or bank notes is already being explored by the local authority.

Another option is to be able to pay over the phone rather than search for loose change to put into a pay and display machine.

The council revealed at the beginning of the year it needed to make huge savings after being hit hard by the credit crunch and rising fuel costs.

To cut costs council chiefs decided to close libraries on Mondays, axe the annual Illuminations and put up Meals on Wheels charges.