COUNCILLORS have agreed to increase town centre car parking charges in a bid to raise cash.

Eastleigh Borough Council last night passed plans to hike fees for long-term users in order to subsidise short-term parking for shoppers – a move they say is part of They are doing this in an attempt to safeguard Eastleigh’s town centre economy.

The council did not decided not to increase parking charges in 2015 to support the town centre but did at a meeting of the local area committee last night. To allow for budget cuts the council must generate.

The council needs to cut its budget by £4.7million in five years and wants to increase income by two per cent in the next financial year, which means generating an extra £56,400 in car parking fees.

Councillors approved plans to hike the town centre’s 13-week permits from £330 to £350 and the annual parking permit for five days from £1,000 to £1,166.

Due to current low use, Long or short stay car parking charges will not change.However The Lib Dem-run council will continue to allow free parking after 3pm on High Street and Market Street.