Price hike for town centre car parks approved
BBCParking in a town centre is to become more expensive.
Darlington Borough Council said from the spring, fees would increase from £1 to £1.20 for the first hour in short-stay car parks.
Council leaders said increasing prices had been a "difficult decision" but it had no choice because of "significant" financial pressures.
Free parking in the town was scrapped in 2023 and critics said it would impact footfall, however the council said visitor numbers were up since the changes had been made.
After drivers have paid the initial £1.20 for the first hour, they will pay £1 for every extra hour up to a cap of £5 in short stay car parks, the council said.
The cap in long-stay car parks will be £5 per day or £20 for a weekly ticket.
Support highways work
A council report said: "This proposal is not taken lightly but will support ongoing provision of car parking services, highway maintenance works and highway schemes across the borough.
"It is preferable to cutting discretionary services such as grass cutting, street cleaning, community safety and leisure provision."
Last year, the Labour and Liberal Democrat-run council was accused of "killing Christmas" after refusing to support a plea to offer free parking over the festive period, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The Conservative motion, led by party leader councillor Jonathan Dulston, said free parking during the festive period would provide a "much-needed lifeline" to small businesses and encourage town centre footfall.
However, it was turned down for being financially "unviable".