PARKING charges are set to be increased on the Isle of Wight.

From May or early June, short stay car parks will rise by between 30p or 40p, while long stay car parks will see a 10p rise for a one to two-hour stay. The maximum stay allowed in a short stay car park will now be three hours.

It is hoped that these changes will increase the rate of turnover in car parks giving people greater access to nearby businesses. Many charges for on-street parking will also rise by between 10p and 20p, although some areas will remain the same. A new residents’ parking permit will also be introduced at a cost of £295 for a year. This will give drivers two hours in a short stay car park or six hours’ free parking in any long stay. Other changes will see charging hours extended to 8pm every day in all areas instead of the current 6pm limit.