CAR parking charges in the city could be raised by as much as ten per cent a report has suggested – but the council has said it will not put up prices.

A full review of the city’s car parks drummed up several recommendations to the city council that could bring them more money – including a ‘moderate’ increase in tariffs.

A target of £455,000 of savings to be met by 2020 was set by the council, of which £295,000 has already been identified.

The report suggested an estimated extra income of £300,000 for the council but bosses have insisted they will not follow through with the idea.

The report also suggested charging Blue Badge holders for using off-street car parking in the city as well as charging more for short-stay tickets of between 30 minutes and an hour – options the council is also choosing not to pursue.

The preferred option is to buy new pay and display ticket machines which would allow for card payments and provide an app that allows drivers to increase the length of their stay on-the-go.

New shelters would also be built over the pay and display machines as part of the plans.

A suggestion for a two-year trial of an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera with no barriers at Clare Street also looks set to be approved.

The council has said the ANPR pilot would only take place if it was at no or very low cost.

The report reviewing the city’s car parks, will be discussed by the city council’s environment committee at a meeting next Tuesday (October 23).

A proposed trial for ‘pay on exit’ parking at St Martin’s Gate car park and the Cornmarket car park was dismissed in the report as it would be too expensive.

Systra, the author of the report, said fitting number plate recognition cameras and barriers would cost more than £100,000 at St Martin’s Gate car park alone and a member of staff would also always need to be present in case the barrier broke.

The report also recommends the better integration of payment lists as a way of speeding up the issuing of car parking fines by traffic wardens.