On-street parking fees are set to be introduced in Walsall town centre. Bosses at the authority plan to charge 20p per 10 minutes.

There would be a maximum waiting time of two hours as part of a draft budget designed to raise £11.2 million. Spaces that are currently free for motorists to use will be affected.

Streets affected include Station Street, Hatherton Street, Lichfield Street, Bridge Street, Ablewell Street and Stafford Street .

The draft budget,due to go to Walsall’s decision-making cabinet for approval on Wednesday, show finance chiefs expect the move to raise about £100,000 a year over the next three years.

Cost-cutting is aimed at an expected drop in government funding.

Paul Leighton, group leader for traffic and transportation, said: “To keep traffic congestion to a minimum we need to encourage the use of off street car parks as a first choice. The introduction of on street parking charges could help achieve this but at the moment no final decision has been made.”

Twenty five council wardens took over control of parking enforcement from police last April.

A total of 40 workers jobs are at risk through the council’s new budget plans, with another 79 roles disappearing through the “deletion” of existing vacant posts.

Bosses in Walsall have also ordered a drive to generate more income as part of the round of belt-tightening and plan to increase council tax by 4.5 per cent next year.

They also plan to close Willenhall Leisure Centre and have told department heads to slash spending across the board.

The cabinet is expected to approve draft proposals on Wednesday, after which they will be discussed by the council’s scrutiny and performance panels as part of a general consultation period.

The final budget will be considered by the council on February 22.