INCREASES in charges at the majority of car parks in Weston-super-Mare have been put on hold following concerns that the rises could harm trade in the seaside resort.

North Somerset Council has carried out a review of its car park charges across the district as it struggles to save £47 million from its budgets over the next four years.

Some charges will increase slightly at car parks across the district, including at the Salthouse Fields in Clevedon where people will see the cost of parking for four hours increase from £3 to £4 and the daily rate rise from £5 to £6.

The cost of buying parking permits at some car parks in Weston-super-Mare will also increase, with an annual permit for the Locking Road, Madeira and Hampton car parks rising from £375 to £385.

Parking at the car park at Knightstone Causeway will also increase, with an extra 10 pence added to each hourly rate.

But following feedback from traders and residents, the authority has put the annual inflation increase in charges in a number of its car parks – including Melrose and Grove Park in Weston-super-Mare, which are used mainly for short stay parking – on hold, citing the effects on trade in the current economic climate.

The cost of long-term and 24-hour parking in the resort – including the Locking Road car park – will also remain the same at £5.50 per day.

Seafront parking fees at Marine Parade and on the beach will also remain unchanged.

The authority expects to collect £1.86 million in the coming year, but the move to freeze some charges, plus the closure of Carlton Street car park to make way for a redevelopment of Dolphin Square, will see this income drop by around £20,000.

At the moment the majority of parking in Clevedon, Nailsea and Portishead remains free, although a restriction of three hours applies to some car parks.

North Somerset Council executive member for transport, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: "Keeping these rates down should benefit local retailers and businesses who need that constant through-put of customers."