TOWN centre car parking fee are set to rise.

Borough engineer Mr Mike Cannon said the rises, from April 3, were necessary to make provision for inflation, any additional revenue expenditure and to achieve income targets. The different time durations for which drivers can pay to park will remain unaltered.

Up to two hours on most pay and display car parks will rise from 60p to 65p and up to three hours from 90p to 95p.

The charging structure on the market car park, which was reviewed last year, is to be extended for a year. The first charging band had been raised from two to three hours and the fee for three hours reduced from 90p to 60p. The three-hour charge is to rise by 5p. This is designed to continue the promotion of Bury market. The experiment had not resulted in a loss of income from the car park.

On-street parking charges in some town centre areas will rise by 10p in the case of the "up to one hour" parking band.

It has also been clarified that there were exceptions to free parking for orange badge holders in the town centre.

Parking on-street and in designated spots is free, but disabled drivers are required to pay as normal when using formal car parks.

Excess charges have remained the same in Bury since the pay and display scheme was introduced in January 1994.

They will now increase to fall in line with neighbouring local authorities.

But Councillor Winston Ramsey has expressed concerns over the move.

"We charge less than Bolton," he said, and suggested the rises may bring problems.

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