Car park charges set to rise by 10 PER CENT - find out if you're impacted

Car park charges are set to rise by 10 per cent across the UK as council plot fees increase.

A number of councils committed to increasing their car parking charges as much as 10 per cent within months.

Experts have warned the decision could see a decline in shoppers in town centres which could be devastating for struggling businesses.

One expert said the charges could drive customers online to avoid having to pay extra to park.

From April York, Southend, Thanet and Waltham Forest will all see double digit per cent increases.

Cornwall Council have gone even further by increasing their hourly rate for parking by 29 per cent to £2.20.

Bristol have doubled the price for motorists at their most popular parking spots.

Local authorities have also ramped up parking fines, expanding the areas parking wardens work in and introducing a charge for parking spots that were previously free.

The plans have been met with uproar with the head of roads policy for the AA, Jack Cousens slamming the proposals.

He said: “Residents could soon 'vote with their wheels' and decide it's easier, maybe even cheaper, to avoid the town centre altogether and shop online.

"Maybe worse for those councils with rising charges, they may choose to drive to the neighbouring town or city and spend their hard-earned money there."