Parking charges are set to go up in Warwick after councillors gave a green light to the changes this week.

Warwick District Council this week approved the new prices and a new Off-Street Parking Places Order (OSPO) which will also see further enforcement of charges in council-run car parks across the area.

Over the past few years, the council has put up prices in its car parks each January - the most recent price hike coming at the start of 2024.

The new OSPO is expected to begin on April 1 putting up parking charges to "align on-street and off-street charges". On-street parking prices are set by Warwickshire County Council.

The report discussed by councillors this week showed most of the increased charges are around £0.10 per hour extra in most car parks.

"The changes proposed have taken into account current market conditions and are considered to be appropriate and proportionate to current demographic and budgetary demands," the report said.

Some of the current and proposed parking charges for Warwick (image via WDC)

It added: "To allow the management of demand and to offset rising operational costs, which include the management, repair and maintenance of the car parks and associated infrastructure."

The OSPO will also introduce a new price for 24 hours' parking in long stay car parks, and reduce the current 'all day' tariff to 10 hours - except for the 'old town car parks' in Leamington Spa where it will remain at 11 hours.

Two hours free parking will also be introduced at Hampton Road car park in Warwick.

'Special event charging' has also been confirmed for Abbey Fields car park, in line with others in the district.

As councillors approved the order on Thursday night (March 20), Cllr Judith Falp said: "We have got to enforce it. 

"There is no point having a policy if you are not going to enforce it."

See the full council report here.