Parking fees rise to bring in £170k

Minimum parking charges in Walsall look set to increase under the council's plans to rake in more funds.

Finance chiefs hope to raise more than £170,000 over the next three years by scrapping one and three-hour pay and display charges.

They will be replaced by price bands of up to two or four hours. Authority-run car parks in Walsall town centre currently cost 80p for the first hour and £1.50 for two hours. It comes after it emerged that the council was planning to introduce on-street parking fees in the town centre, with motorists paying 20p per 10 minutes.

Town centre roads affected by the proposals include Station Street, Hatherton Street, Lichfield Street, Bridge Street, Ablewell Street and Stafford Street.

Councillor Tom Ansell, Walsall Council cabinet member for transport, said: "We can confirm that we are looking to make changes to the way parking charges are levied in Walsall town centre.

"As a boost to business we are encouraging motorists to stay longer in the town to take advantage of our shops.

"That's why we are considering changing our parking bands for short stay parking," Councillor Ansell added.

"The new arrangements could see a band for up to two hours and up to four hours which will be lower than that currently charged. There will also be an all day charge," he said. A series of cost-cutting measures have been outlined by the council, where bosses have blamed a reduction in government funding. Up to 40 workers could lose their jobs, while another 79 roles will go through the "deletion" of existing vacant posts.

Willenhall Leisure Centre and the Grange Golf Course are due to close. Hundreds of users attended a protest outside the leisure centre last week to make their voices heard. A decision on its future will be made next year. Council chiefs hope the move will raise £100,000 in the next three years.

The proposals to increase revenue through parking is part of an overall effort to generate more income – which will also see a council tax hike of 4.5 per cent next year.