LONG-stay parking charges in Royston are to be increased to achieve council budget savings. But North Herts District Council cannot yet confirm the amount of the rise. The parking charge increases were proposed by the district council in a bid to plug a £

LONG-stay parking charges in Royston are to be increased to achieve council budget savings. But North Herts District Council cannot yet confirm the amount of the rise. The parking charge increases were proposed by the district council in a bid to plug a £1.8million hole in its budget. District councillor Bill Davidson said: "Those responsible have taken the figures away and are looking into it. Hopefully, our recommendations will be approved." The decision was made last Tuesday at a district council Cabinet meeting where it was decided that short-term parking charges would remain unchanged. The cabinet also voted to retain the parking charge of 10p after 4pm in Royston. The concession was under threat of being scrapped. Cllr Davidson said: "What we are trying to do is help the shopkeepers so that the people who come into town for one or two hours don't have to pay any more money to do so. "People who park all day are going to pay a bit more," he said. The move comes two weeks after members the district council's Royston area committee rejected all proposed parking charge increases. At the meeting, Cllr Fiona Hill said: "I don't agree at all with any increase in car parking charges. I think it would be totally detrimental to the work of the Royston town centre forum." The forum has been looking at alternative parking arrangements in the town centre and councillors have supported moves that these should be further examined. Cllr Howard Marshall branded any parking charges increase as "very dangerous" and said it would be a blow to people living in rural areas who travel into Royston.