Drivers in Colchester are being hit in the pocket by the latest round of inflation-busting parking hikes.

Motorists living in resident parking zones will have to fork out an extra £7 a year to leave their cars outside their own homes.

The planned increase will push permit prices up to £50 a year a 16 per cent rise. But Colchester Council says the hike is in line with guidelines.

Visitors to Colchester will also have to stump up more to park in the town.

Commuters will be hit by a 14 per cent rise at long-stay car parks such as Butt Road, Middleborough and Sheepen Road, where charges will rise from £3.50 to £4 for up to nine hours.

But there is better news for season ticket holders with charges set to rise about 2.5 per cent from £605 a year to £620 - in line with inflation.

Council chiefs say the new prices, due to come in late in January, are in line with neighbouring towns and cities.

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Published Wednesday, December 22, 2004

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