DRIVERS aged over 60, who are entitled to a concessionary permit for car parks in Bromsgrove, are facing a savage 500 per cent hike in the fee.

If adopted, from May 1, the charge, which is used to cover administrative costs, will rise from the current £5.15 to a whopping £30.

And the cost of annual parking permits could rise by £100 to £300, but with a reduced charge of £200 for a permit for use only on Stourbridge Road car park.

Excess charges too could double to £60, but be reduced by half if payment is made within 14 days.

These and other recommendations are being considered tonight (Wednesday) by Bromsgrove District Council's cabinet as part of a parking overview, prior to the setting of the authority's budget the following Tuesday.

An officer's report, which speaks of a 'lack of control' in the issuing of concessionary permits, says in December 2004 there were more than 5,600 permits in circulation.

These represent 430 per cent of the number of spaces available and their use at peak times has a detrimental effect on car park revenue.

This, at a little under £1m a year, is a major earner for the council.

Officers claim the need for stricter control of concessionary permits is strong.

Apart from increasing charges, other options under consideration are reducing the days they can be used, possibly from Sunday to Wednesday, and limiting them to certain car parks.

"Uncontrolled issuing of permits actively encourages dependency on the car," the report declares.

Defending the rises, cabinet member Councillor Margaret Sherrey (Con-Furlongs) denied the elderly are being targeted, suggesting that they have no more right to cheap parking than a young family with children.

She added it costs the council £15 to process a concessionary permit and the recommended increase amounts to no more than the cost of a small loaf or bottle of milk a week.