DRIVERS may catch a break with a possible future freeze in car park charges.

The suggestion was made at a recent district council meeting, where it was also recommended that drivers should be allowed to park for free at weekends.

A report was put together for the recent economy and environment scrutiny panel for consideration to be given to keep charges at their current level for the financial year 2012/2013.

Charges are reviewed every year and during the financial year of 2010/2011 there were two rises, one due to the increase in VAT in January this year.

Currently car park charges reach £6.50 for a day-long ticket in the council-owned car parks.

Martin Johnson, town clerk for Kingsbridge said: 'Without being too simplistic, car parking charges affect those people paying by hitting their pockets direct and obviously is a major factor in deciding where they choose to park or indeed, for Kingsbridge, it determines whether visitors park up or actually drive on elsewhere. So the impact here is chiefly felt by local traders.

'Therefore, if charges are frozen it's an awful lot better than a price increase, however, many people will no doubt suggest that prices should be lowered.

'The crux is that the district council require this key revenue from its off-street car parks and if charges were lowered the subsequent drop in income would presumably result in either poorer services being provided or a requirement for the shortfall in income to be met elsewhere, which may mean an increase in council tax.'

Amanda Bloomer, manager of Kingsbridge Information Centre said at the time of the increases in charges in January: 'The number of complaints we hear in the information centre just increase year on year as the prices go up – and no-one seems to be able to understand why they are so high in this area when other authorities elsewhere charge so much less – or even, not at all.'

On a possible freeze on charges, she said: 'I welcome any move that prevents them going up, it would undoubtedly make a difference to the town.'

At the meeting, which took place on Thursday, October 13, Cllr Keith Wingate said: 'Keeping charges at the present level is the least we can do.'

A more effective approach, using specialist computer software in the ticket machines, is currently being applied by SHDC officers to gather data relating to the use of car parks, peak times and tariffs.

The recommendation will go before the South Hams Council executive committee in November.