WINCHESTER parking bosses have ruled out introducing charges on Sunday, the evenings or in the districts.

The city council cabinet was this morning due to discuss new three-hour parking in some of the 'inner' car parks - Chesil Street Surface, Chesil Multi-storey, Durngate, Worthy Lane, Coach Park and Cattle Market. The cost will be £2.70, cheaper than the increased charge of £3.50 for three hours in the more central car parks such as The Brooks.

Four hours in the central car parks are set to increase from £4 to £4.50, compared to the freezing at £4 for four hours in 'inner' car parks such as the Chesils and Durngate.

The council wants to encourage people to think about where they park, to park further out and hence avoid bringing vehicles into the congested one-way system.

The cost of park and ride will be frozen as will free 30 minutes in street parking bays.

Cllr Keith Wood, council leader, said: “We know how important parking is to the local economy and have worked hard to ensure we can retain the majority of prices at the current rates. We have built in choice to the parking system to allow users the flexibility to pay for convenience or park further out for a cheaper stay.”