CHANGES to the on-street car parking charges in Hereford include the option to pay to park for longer.

Herefordshire Council is proposing changes to the scheme which was brought in last November and which caused outcry among businesses and shoppers.

The council want to introduce the option to pay to park for two hours on the streets included in the scheme, whereas before the maximum time was one hour.

The following charges would apply: up to 30 mins - 50p, up to one hour - £1 and up to two hours - £3.

Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, said: “Our proposed changes to on-street pay and display in Hereford city centre show that we have, and will continue to, listen to feedback from local business and shoppers.

"The proposals meet the council’s transportation aims to reduce traffic congestion caused by short car journeys and to encourage extended visits within the city centre. But we also want to ensure that any changes to on-street parking continue to support the economic vitality of Hereford and its city centre, and protect parking provision for residential permit holders.”

The following streets are subject to the pay and display charges from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday: Aubrey Street, Bridge Street, Broad Street, Gaol Street, Harrison Street, King Street, St John Street and St Owen Street.

The council is also proposing extending the Pay and Display to include St Ethelbert Street and selected parking places in Castle Street, with a standardised operating period of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, with a continued exemption for permit holders.

Currently there is a 30-minute limited waiting time, except permit holders, in Castle Street, East Street, St Ethelbert Street and the bays on the east side of Cantilupe Street from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6.30pm.

Mike Truelove, operations and marketing manager at Hereford BID, said: “The Hereford Business Improvement District welcomes the council’s willingness to listen and respond to the concerns of businesses, many of whom are struggling in the testing economic climate we are in.

"It is therefore critical that the right parking structure is created, that not only meets environmental objectives, but is also viable to our traders and appealing to shoppers – many of whom are being fought for by other towns and cities, not to mention the competition that comes from online shopping. We urge all businesses to actively feed into this consultation and have their say.”

The legal process requires public notices to be published setting out the proposed changes. The notices will explain how members of the public can submit representations for, or against, the proposals. Subject to considering any representations received, it is anticipated that the changes would be introduced in June this year.

The public notices will appear in the press after Easter, will be displayed in affected areas and are available to view online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/tro

The temporary voucher scheme for free parking, introduced in partnership with the HBID team, will remain in place until June. Retailers who would like to receive vouchers for customers should contact HBID on 01432 376830.