CHARGES are going up for drivers who use Bury's car parks and on-street parking.

An across-the-board rise of 10p will be imposed for stays of between 30 minutes and two hours on the street. The price remains the same for under 30 minutes.

On public car parks, there will be 5p an hour rises for up to three hours. For stays longer than three hours, except at Castle Street, Parson Lane, Chapel Street and School Brow, where prices remain the same, there will be an extra 10p charge. Minor rises in contract parking will also come in.

Councillor Steve Perkins, chairman of highways and transportation, believed that the increases were not too harsh on motorists.

"We are continuing our policy of catering for short-term parking and encouraging longer term parkers to consider alternative means of transport, especially public transport."

Coun Perkins added: "When car parking charges were introduced in Bury there were claims that it would drive shoppers away.

"To the contrary, Bury now enjoys higher numbers of shoppers than it ever has and yet it is easier to find a parking place."

The new charges will start on Monday, April 2.