A RISE in the cost of parking in East Hampshire District Council car parks is set to raise an extra £668,399 in Petersfield alone by 2020.

The 17 per cent increase to pay and display charges will generate an estimated extra £163,361 from the central car park alone in the year from April 1, 2017.

Over the same year, the income increase for the council from all its town centre car parks is likely to be £198,956.

The hike in charges comes after it was announced on February 13 that the authority’s share of council tax for the same year was to be cut by 2.6 percent, which will lose it about £170,000.

The increase in charges – in the central car park it will go up from £1.20 for two hours to £1.50 – was agreed by the council cabinet last Thursday, after council leader Ferris Cowper agreed to push it through as an “urgent late item.”

Councillor Julie Butler presented the report, saying that neighbouring authorities had continued to apply increases.

She added that the proposals also sought to apply a fair and consistent approach to charging in all the district’s car parks.

The council says for the next three years across the district it will raise £474,288 a year more than now; plus £108,000 in related rises.

In a statement, the council said parking fees hadn’t changed in the past three years, and they would now be in line with other councils, such as Chichester District Council.

Petersfield and Alton will bear the brunt of the rises, with most car parks in Liss, Liphook, Bordon, Horndean and elsewhere exempt.

The cost of an hour ticket in Petersfield will rise from 60p to £1, while an all-day ticket in the Swan Street car park, for example, will rise from £6.50 to £7.

Sunday parking charges will mirror weekday charges, but won’t change where Sunday parking is currently free.

Season tickets and permit charges will be increased for town centre car parks and reduced for car parks further away.

Fees will also be standardised so there are clear options for residents.

A new three-month permit will help people who can’t afford the higher prices.

The rises will come into effect from Monday, June 5.