THERE is good news and bad news for erring motorists in Winchester.

The city council is due to bring in different levels of fine for different offences.

The bad news is that drivers parking on yellow lines will get higher penalties; the good news is that those overstaying in a car park will face a lesser charge.

Currently, the council issues £60 penalty charges, reduced to £30 if they are paid within 14 days. Under the new proposal the higher fine will be £70 and the lower £50. All fines will still be halved if paid within two weeks.

Officers are recommending that the Cabinet gives the proposals the go-ahead on Tuesday.

A report to the Cabinet states that choosing the £70 and £50 structure would see a reduction in fine income of £14,000 per year.

Another option of £60 for more serious offences and £40 for others would lead to incomes from fines dropping an estimated £60,000 a year.

The new measures are set to come into force at the end of March.