New parking fees after 'council hears businesses'

New charges are being introduced in some Wolverhampton car parks, with prices dropping to £2 in the evening and £3.50 during the day.

The city council said it was "listening to our businesses and their employees" after concerns about rising costs to use some central council car parks.

The changes come into effect from 1 April with a wider review of council car parks taking place later this year, the authority said.

It follows free evening and overnight parking at Broad Street car park being temporarily offered from last October as part of a plan to help the night-time economy and more recently opening the Civic Centre car park for 24 hours.

"By introducing lower-cost parking options, we can help to further boost our high footfall both during the day and into the evening, ensuring our parking offer remains competitive and attractive for visitors," councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said.

Parking charges have always been kept under review, the council added, with a £2 fee now in place after 17:00 at Broad Street.

The changes include:

• A flat £2 rate across all city centre council car parks (excluding St Peter's and the Civic Centre car parks) between 17:00 and 05:00. This would represent a 78% reduction for some users at most central city centre car parks, from £9 for over four hours, the council said

• A £3.50 fee for 12 hours, starting from arrival any time between 05:00 and 17:00 at the council's second largest car park in Fold Street and St George's car park (as much as a 61% drop in price).

• The Civic Centre car park will also have a reduced fee of £10 for 4-12 hours, with 24 hours costing £15

• St Peter's car park prices will be brought in line with other central sites and have reduced prices applied: 1 hour £1.50; 2 hours £3; 3 hours £4.50; 4 hours £5.50 and up to 12 hours £8

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