CAR park charges are set to rise in the New Forest next year. New Forest District Council this week approved the increases, which will come into effect on April 1.

Shoppers' parking clocks are to go up from £6 a year to £8 for up to three hours, an increase of 33 per cent.

People who plan to stay longer using a shoppers' permit will be able to buy a ticket from a machine when they park, to pay for the extra time.

The big increase is for drivers who regularly need to park for more than three hours.

Previously all they needed was the standard £6 clock.

But now they will have to fork out £80 for an annual district-wide parking clock, more than 13 times what they currently pay. There is an option for a six-month clock costing £44.

The district-wide clock will also allow them to park in amenity car parks at seaside locations.

Charges for amenity car parks permits will also increase. Forest residents will have to pay £45, an increase of £7 and visitors will be charged £50, up £6.

Council leader Cllr Melville Kendal has said: "We want to encourage a greater turnover of vehicles in council-run car parks and provide as many car parking opportunities as possible."

Car parks manager John Bull expects to sell 45,000 short stay clocks worth £306,400, 5,000 district-wide clocks worth £340,400 and 2,000 six-month clocks worth £74,900.

That gives a total income of £721,700 compared to an expected income of £332,200 for the current year.

With an expected decline in the number of amenity parking permits calculated at £30,000, the council should make an additional £359,000.

First published: October 27