Traffic light-style parking plans

A "simpler traffic light-style" parking system is being proposed for Worcester city centre that could mean a 2.5 % rise in revenue, the council said.

Next month's review will set tariffs for 15 city council car parks and may include a season ticket trial, it said.

The plan is to designate red car parks for short term use and green ones for longer term use with maximum charges of £10 and £3.50 respectively.

A meeting of the full council will vote on the plans on December 2.

Season tickets

If passed the changes would be brought in on 1 January, 2009 and could earn Worcester City Council £75,000 more per year, which is the equivalent to a 2.5 % increase in its annual parking revenue.

David Tibbutt, the councillor responsible for car parks, said the extra money could be put towards subsidising free bus travel for the over 60s.

Mr Tibbutt said: "The pricing system in the past was very complicated and people found it hard to understand.

"I hope this one, if it is passed, will be a lot easier for people to use. Basically the green car parks will be half the price of the red ones, up to four hours."

'Money saver'

Mr Tibbutt said if people parked appropriately they might even save money.

He added: "We are also thinking of introducing a season ticket pilot scheme, which would offer a greater discount than people are currently paying for parking."

The proposals going before the council are:

• Car parks in Corn Market, Copenhagen Street and Providence Street, to become red car parks charging £1.20 for one hour, 2.40 for two hours, 3.60 for three hours and £5 for four hours or a maximum of £10 for between 5 and 24 hours.

• To offer 12, six and three-month season ticket parking for St Martins Gate Car Park on a trial basis.

• To make green car parks half the price of red ones up to four hours and a maximum of £3.50 per day.

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