A MAJOR overhaul of car parking charges in Worcester means prices are set to rise by 2.5 per cent in the new year.

Newly-published proposals will see Worcester’s 15 council-owned car parks divided into a new three-tier colour coded system, which city council leaders say will make car park pricing easier for shoppers and commuters to understand.

‘Red’ branded car parks, for high-turnover shopper parking, will be twice as expensive as ‘green’ ones, aimed at long-stay customers. Short-stay ‘amber’ car parks will be priced roughly in between.

The most expensive ‘red’ car parks, in Copenhagen Street, Cornmarket and Providence Street, will all rise by 10p to £1.20 per hour under the plan.

Approving the new pricing structure, members of the city’s ruling Conservative cabinet said overall prices would increase by just 2.5 per cent.

Cabinet member for urban renaissance David Tibbutt said the council has spent the last 12 months undertaking a wide-ranging study of all the city’s car parks and how they are used.

“Last year we only increased car parking charges very modestly in just three of our car parks,” he said.

City leader Simon Geraghty said: “We have to be careful, with the economic situation being what it is. But I think an overall 2.5 per cent increase is a very modest one on the current climate.”

Under the new pricing plan, short-stay car parks – on the former cattle market, King Street, Newport Street, St Martin’s Gate, Clare Street, Commandery Road and Orchard House – will cost 90p per hour. Long-stay car parks in Pitchcroft Moors, Tallow Hill, Tybridge Street and Croft Road will cost just 60p per hour, or £3.50 for 24 hours.

A new season ticket scheme for St Martin’s Gate car park is also to be piloted.

A final decision on the new charges will be made at a meeting of the full council early next month. If the new system is approved, it will come into effect on January 1, next year.