COUNCIL bosses are bringing in inflation-busting car parking charges in Winchester – to try to make people use the new park-and-ride.

The city council has decided on a new set of city centre charges to be introduced on January 1 – with some areas facing a 40 per cent hike.

The Tory plan has raised concerns from opposition groups who have questioned the increases just eight months after the last rise in parking prices and during a recession.

New charges will see all-day parking costs in the centre go up sharply, with some car parks such as Durngate, Cattle Market and Worthy Lane to see 40 per cent increases, from £5 to £7.

Tower Street and Gladstone Street will rise from £7 to £8; Chesil Street multi-storey and surface will go from £6 to £7.

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Kelsie Learney told the traffic and parking committee: “We welcome park-and-ride. But we are concerned about the ten to 20 per cent increase in charges in the current economic climate at a time when inflation is minimal. It is happening eight months after the last increase, which will give an even greater annual rate.”

She said she was worried that the increases could hurt city centre traders.

Councillor Keith Wood, the portfolio holder for planning and access, said: “ The joy of setting car parking charges is that you are always criticised. We feel this is the best outcome for the city. The object is to help the green agenda and give people who are commuting into Winchester the choice of park-and-ride.”

The 800 new spaces at the £7.1m Compton park-and-ride site are due to be opened in April 2010. All-day parking will cost £3, or £2.50 with pre-purchase ‘smart cards’.

Parking will be free after 4pm but the bus service – a Euro 5 standard said to be the green option – will run for two hours longer, until 9.30pm.

The city council is currently in negotiations over bulk discounts with major employers such as the university, hospital and prison.