CAR park charges across the Forest of Dean are set to rise by 150 per cent for two hours – but they will still be among the cheapest prices in the UK.

That is just one of the increases the district authority is looking at making next year as they try to raise extra money for their depleted coffers.

Garden waste recycling charges and cemetery fees are also likely to go up along with the cost of a summons, already agreed by the authority, for outstanding Council Tax and National Non Domestic Rates payments.

Drivers are currently charged just 20 pence to stay for up to two hours stay in council-run car parks but, with increased pressure on the district authority to bring in extra revenue next year, they have decided to put together a string of new payments.

The council’s Cabinet will be recommended at their meeting tomorrow to put up the two-hourly charge to 50 pence and increase charges to stay later than that by the same percentage.

At the top level, if a driver wants to park his car all day, he or she currently has to pay just £1.60. That is set to go up to two pounds.

These new charges are recommended to be brought in from April 1 next year and are estimated to bring in £65,120 extra cash, based on the current usage figures available to the authority.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK’S FORESTER