DRIVERS could be stung by hikes of up to 10 per cent in parking charges as councils plot fee increases.
Local authorities have been accused of treating motorists like a 'cash cow' as they seek to ratchet up parking charges amid a cost of living crisis.
A string of councils, including those in York, Southend, Thanet and the London borough of Waltham Forest, have already said they will bump up parking charges by double digit percentages from April.
In even more extreme moves, Cornwall Council are planning to boost the price for an hourly ticket at tourist hotspots by 29 per cent to £2.20.
Dudley Council will hike the cost of an all-day ticket by 43 per cent to £5, while Bristol City Council will double the prices at popular sites.
Spectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three years
Not only are price rises clobbering car-owners, but some local authorities are extending charging times late into the evening and charging in previously free areas, as well as bumping up parking fines.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, hit back at the plans, saying: "Residents could soon 'vote with their wheels' and decide it's easier, maybe even cheaper, to avoid the town centre altogether and shop online.
"Maybe worse for those councils with rising charges, they may choose to drive to the neighbouring town or city and spend their hard-earned money there."
He added that councils were becoming increasingly dependent on the money they extract from motorists.
Figures show that across that councils rake in around a whopping £1.8 billion per year from parking charges alone.
Hugh Bladon, from the Alliance of British Drivers, told MailOnline: "Councillors just cannot seem to get it into their heads that if they make it more difficult and expensive for people to drive to their town and city centres then they will kill off business there.
"It is so short-sighted because it means more boarded up shops and less income from business rates in the long term.
"I know councils are short of money, but why are motorists always the first target when they need cash? They should focus on getting rid of all the non-jobs in their offices."
However, council officials have defended the increases, saying they need the extra cash to fund services like social care as prices spiral out of control.
Stephen George, the Labour leader of Southend Council blamed government cuts and argued that reduced funding meant that councils have to be "more financially self-sufficient and rely more heavily on income we can bring in locally".
Robbie Williams poised to launch his own brand of energy drinks to rival Prime
It comes as families are set to see a 5 per cent rise in council tax after ministers lifted the annual cap on the rate as councillors demanded more money.
Other councils are also expected to raise prices for other services, including funerals and marriages.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, said: "The cost of providing public services has dramatically increased with rapidly rising inflation.
"Many councils face significant challenges and difficult decisions when setting their budgets and trying to protect services from cutbacks next year."
