DRIVERS in Weston could soon need more change in their pocket to pay for the privilege of parking in the town.

DRIVERS in Weston could soon need more change in their pocket to pay for the privilege of parking in the town.

A review of off-street parking fees for 2008 and 2009 has proposed increasing charges at a number of sites across the town.

These include three short-stay car parks: Carlton Street, Melrose in Knightstone Road and Grove Park in Grove Road.

Locking Road, Hampton near Raglan Place and Madeira Road long stay car parks will also be affected, along with seafront sites, including Marine Parade and beach car parks.

If the proposals are allowed, those using short-stay car parks will have to pay an additional £1 on current charges for staying for five or six hours and above.

In Locking Road and Hampton car parks, day, week, six-month and annual tickets will all increase, as well as the annual charge for a senior citizen's car.

Those parking in Madeira Road car park will have to pay more for up to four hours, as well as week, six-month, and annual tickets, plus senior citizen annual tickets.

Both summer and winter charges on the seafront will also increase.

The report was presented at a meeting of North Somerset Council's executive on Tuesday where members agreed it in principle before a consultation takes place.

However, Councillor Nan Kirken criticised the fact the report did not provide any additional benefits for disabled drivers.

No changes have been proposed to the charges that apply to those with blue badges, who, in some car parks, are given an hour free after their paid-for ticket expires.

She said: "A lot of elderly people like to come here and sit in their cars on the seafront as it is a nice view.

"Giving them an hour free after they've paid to park doesn't seem very generous."

How the proposals compare:

Short stay car parks:

Current charges: Five hours = £5 Six hours and above = £8

Proposed charges: Five hours = £6 Six hours and above = £9

Locking Road and Hampton:

Current charges: Daily car = £3 Weekly car = £18 Annual car = £320 Senior citizen annual car = £240

Proposed charges: Daily car = £4 Weekly car = £20 Annual car = £350 Senior citizen annual car = £250

Madeira Road:

Current summer charges: Daily car = £3 Weekly car = £18 Annual car = £320 Senior citizen annual car = £240

Proposed charges for all year round: Up to four hours = £1.50 All day = £3 Weekly car = 20 Six-month car = £160 Annual car £350 Senior citizen annual car = £250

Seafront:

Current summer charges: Up to four hours = £3 All day = £5 After 4pm = £1

Proposed summer charges: Up to four hours = £4 All day = £6 After 4pm = £1.50

Current winter charges: Up to four hours = £1 All day = £2 After 4pm = 50p

Proposed winter charges: Up to four hours = £1.50 All day = £3 After 4pm = £1