FIGURES from North Herts District Council have revealed a profit from Royston car parking charges of £26,998. The figures are based on a period between July 2006 and March 2007. They show, however, that less drivers have been using the car parks. The most

FIGURES from North Herts District Council have revealed a profit from Royston car parking charges of £26,998.

The figures are based on a period between July 2006 and March 2007.

They show, however, that less drivers have been using the car parks.

The most dramatic drop has been at the town hall car park where 10,480 few car parking tickets have been purchased.

But despite the drop in parking more than £62,738 has been raised.

Fewer people are parking at the Somerfield car park in Princes Mews, too.

But parking still managed to show a profit of £3,393.

Parking charges were increased after a campaign by district councillors and town councillors to scrap the rise.

They said that Royston should be treated differently than other towns in North Herts and it was a mistake to have a "blanket" increase in charges.

In the period from July 2006 to March 2007 parking charges in Royston has raised £220,008.

But there have been concerns raised by Royston Town Council over parking in residential areas.

They claim that commuters are using alternative places rather than in the car parks.

This has already caused problems in Newmarket Road and the surrounding roads.

There have been in recent weeks talks between town councillors and the district council.

And there is the promise that the situation will be kept under review.