Car park charges could increase by 5% in city

Car park charges could increase by 5% across Worcester as part of new council measures.

Worcester City Council has proposed the increase in car parks it owns and operates, to help it meet budget pressures and set a balanced budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

The authority also wants to introduce charges at the Diglis Playing Fields and Waterworks Road car parks, under proposals set to go out to public consultation.

Councillor Karen Lewing said car parking charges were a "very significant source of income" for the council, but before 2023 they had not increased in 14 years.

Lewing added the authority needed to look at ways of "balancing our books" while ensuring services were protected.

"Small increases over the last few years have helped us to meet the increasing cost of maintaining our car parks," she said.

"The city council car parks continue to be competitively priced and comparable to those in towns and cities of a similar size."

The proposals will be discussed by the council's Place and Economic Development Committee on 27 January and its Environment Committees the following day.

The authority is also proposing introducing a charge for the replacement of black bins, with the fee being waived in some circumstances, such as if bins were stolen or vandalised.

The fee would be £39 per bin, but would be reduced to £29 for any residents who receive council tax support, it added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.