A HIKE in park-and-ride charges could backfire, if council chiefs decide to wave through new proposals.

That was the message from a handful of members attending the Salisbury joint transportation committee meeting on Monday, who said park-and-ride should be cheap, in order to attract motorists.

Increasing park-and-ride charges from £1.50 to £2.20 a day with the opening of the Britford site comes as part of a radical overhaul of parking fees approved by Salisbury district council cabinet.

Despite some opposition, the recommendations were endorsed at committee and will now go before full council for approval on Monday.

If accepted, there will be a 39 per cent increase in long-stay, off-street parking, taking all-day parking in places such as Culver Street and College Street car parks to £5 a day.

There would be a 30 per cent increase in yearly season tickets, the price rising to £950 (not £1,000 as stated in last week's Journal).

Short-stay, off-street parking and residents and visitors parking permits would also increase, with all new rates coming into effect from May, if approved.

Speaking at the meeting, Salisbury district councillor Steve Fear said there was a danger of pricing the park-and-ride facilities too high, keeping drivers away and blighting the success of the scheme.

Responding to his concerns, district council leader Kevin Wren said he also had reservations about the proposed £2.20 fee.

"I do have concerns about the price going up for park-and-ride and I do have concerns for weekend parkers," he said.

"While I feel that perhaps I could flex my muscles, or possibly consider limiting the price to £2 for the whole six days they are open, I'm prepared to accept the advice of the officers and my fellow members of cabinet.

"If we do find there is a resistance to use of park-and-ride, we have a solution available to us, and I hope that helps to appease your concerns."

Worries over the number of visitors' permits allocated to households in residents only and limited waiting zones were also highlighted at the meeting.

One member said the restricted number of permits would greatly impact on the elderly, disabled and vulnerable, who relied on visitors coming to their homes.

Dennis Brown, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: "I have written to Eric Teagle asking him to revisit the visitors' permits.

"It might be set in stone at the moment but we want to revisit it.

"It is clearly unfair on some members of the public and we will take each case on its own merit."

Price increase proposals will see:

Off-street short stay car parks rising 10 per cent, the cost of 4-5 hour parking going up from £3 to £3.30, 3-4 hours rising from £2.60 to £2.90, etc.

On-street parking at current rates, to be reviewed in 2006.

Market Place car park unchanged (£2.70 for one hour, £5.30 for two hours).

Annual charge of £10 for residents' permits in limited waiting zones and an increase of £25 to £30 in residents' only zones.

Households in residents only areas eligible to buy 100 visitor permits at 20p. Households in limited waiting zones eligible for 50 permits at 20p. Additional permits in both zones to be charged at the same rate as all-day parking in city centre car parks (£5).

Coaching parking (Millstream) unchanged (£4 up to two hours, and £8 more than two hours).

Charge for coach parking at Britford park-and-ride introduced, equivalent to Millstream.

Market traders' vehicles remaining on the market square during market hours unchanged (£8 for first vehicle, £16 for second, £35 for third).

Market coaches (New Canal), £2 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, rest of week same as Millstream, no change.

Tradesman's daily waivers increased to £5.

Amesbury car park season tickets up from £150 to £200.

Business permits, a charge equivalent to a residents' charge (£30 or £10) to be introduced, but not in zones B and E where there are no business spaces.

Contract parking unchanged at £1,150, to be reviewed in 2006.

Sundays and evenings free, but charging during these periods will be considered and a further report prepared as part of the 2006/7 corporate planning process. Proposals include, charging evenings, 6pm to 8am, and Sundays, 10am to 4pm, at the flat rate of £1.