PLANS to increase city centre parking charges by 20p an hour to visitors to York have been given the go-ahead.

But the cost to residents holding discount badges will remain unchanged under the latest proposals accepted by City of York councillors at a meeting of the transport executive's advisory panel. Residents currently enjoy a 10p an hour discount on existing prices. Coach parking charges will also be put up by 50p for one hour or £1 for anything from three hours to all day.

The price rises, granted following a meeting of the council's advisory panel to the executive member for transport, are expected to generate an extra £588,000 income.

The council will also pilot a scheme in the city's long-stay car parks, which will allow users to pay by credit card and avoid having to search for the right change. Among a range of improvements to parking, the council has put all its car park information and location maps on the Internet - at www.york.gov.uk - to make planning a visit to York simpler for residents and visitors.

Bill Woolley, the council's assistant director of development and transport, told the meeting: "We do feel that if we were to go higher with the parking charges it could be counter-productive."

Resident discount parking badges are free to anyone living within the City of York Council boundary. They are available from the Parking Services Reception, 9 St Leonards Place, York, YO1 7ET, by calling 01904 551623, or through the council's website www.york.gov.uk

Updated: 11:46 Tuesday, January 14, 2003