VISITORS to Harrogate District could have to pay up to 25 per cent more to park their cars if North Yorkshire County Council plans go-ahead.
A report to the council’s Harrogate Area Committee has recommended increasing short-stay parking charges by 25 per cent, inner zone parking charges by 16.6 per cent, and outer zone by 20 per cent, from September 1.
If the increase is agreed by the executive, it would mean motorists currently paying 60p for 30 minutes in the inner zone would pay 70p, with costs across the board rising by 10p per 30 minutes.
Though reprogramming pay and display machines across the district would cost £5,000, the move would raise more than £280,000. Members voted in favour of the increase by seven votes to six at an area committee meeting.
Representatives from the town’s chamber of trade and commerce said the charges were simply a revenue raising scheme and could discourage visitors.
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