PRICIER PARKING TO PLUG COUNCILS' BUDGET HOLES

Removal of free-parking areas and premiums for big cars also planned

- JOHN EVANS

Councils across the UK are plotting higher parking charges as they come under pressure to achieve clean-air targets and plug gaps in their tightening finances.

Planned changes also include premiums for larger vehicles, tougher parking controls, possible reductions in the numbers of on-street spaces and the introduction of parking charges in free-to-park areas in many major towns and cities.

These developments aren't surprising, given that on- and off-street parking charges generated more than £1 billion for local authorities last year - an increase of 8% on 2023.

Among the latest to announce changes to its car parking charges is Haringey Council in London.

It is consulting on plans to replace the daily parking permit for visitors that costs £5 with an hourly charge of £1.20, meaning that motorists parking in areas with parking controls lasting 14 hours would have to pay £17.