DRIVERS parking in two Clevedon car parks will have to pay more from March next year.

North Somerset Council is planning to increase the charges at the Salthouse Fields and Hawthorns car parks in line with inflation and the pending increase in VAT.

At the Salthouse Fields in the peak season, parking of up to four hours will increase by 50p to �3 and by �1 to �5 for all day.

After 4pm until 6pm parking will cost �1.50 instead of the current �1.

In the winter, or low season, parking of up to four hours will cost �2 instead of �1 and all day will be increased from �2 to �3.

In all seasons, parking a coach for the day will cost �5 instead of �3.

At The Hawthorns in Elton Road during peak season, parking for up to four hours will increase from �2 to �3 and all day parking will be �5 instead of �3.

After 4pm until 6pm, the charge will be �1.50 whereas it is currently 50p.

In low season, up to four hours will cost �2 instead of 50p, all day parking will be �3 instead of �1 and after 4pm it will be �1 whereas it is currently free.

Another change will see the peak season charges run for almost two months longer from March 2 until November 30, rather than from April 1 to October 31 as they do now.

A council spokesman explained the increase in charges will not generate any more revenue for North Somerset Council due to the VAT increase and inflation.

The final approval of the charge increases was due to be given at a meeting of North Somerset Council’s executive as the Times went to press yesterday (Tues).