Shoppers last night warned increasing the cost of parking charges in Darlington would be 'the final in the coffin' for the town centre.

Darlington Borough Council has proposed making the “difficult decision” to increase charges across its car parks next year due to the “significant” financial pressures on the local authority. 

Increased rates of £1.20 per hour in short stay car parks up to a cap of £5 then reverting to £1 per hour thereafter and £5 per day in long stay or £20 for a weekly ticket are among the proposed changes.

But yesterday, shoppers warned increased charges would make them less likely to visit the town and they feared for the future of independent businesses. 

Rosann Sanderson and Catherine Davis, from Bobby B's Baby Boutique, work in Darlington but live in Shildon. They said: "It's just a nail in the coffin. In a way it has really ruined the town centre.

"We have seen it already in our shop since the free parking went away. 

"Between us, we are paying nearly £15 a day just to park in the town so we can go to work. If I'm being honest I think they are a little delusional with thinking that this will help the town instead of hindering it. 

"I would love to know where all these extra much-needed funds go because they certainly aren't on helping businesses. 

"We have even seen in our shop that people would rather pay for postage and order online than come to the shop and pay for the parking in the town centre as it still works out cheaper for them.

A council report stated: “This proposal is not taken lightly but will support the ongoing provision of car parking services, highway maintenance works and highway schemes across the borough and is preferable to cutting discretionary services such as grass cutting, street cleaning, community safety and leisure provision.”

Dave Cornley, who lives in Newton Aycliffe said: " I do use the car parks and have to take a mortgage out to do so. 

"I always now even though I live further away go to Teesside Park instead of Darlington, I avoid it at all costs, because parking is free there. 

"It really does just make me not want to come to the town so we only do it when really necessary for things like appointments."

One person who lives just outside of Darlington town centre said: "I used to always drive into the centre for shopping and other things but it is just not worth it for me now. 

"I would love to know where that money is actually going. If I saw lots of new developments or amazing things happening in the town I would probably be happy to pay it, but because I don't it makes it hard to justify."

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Amirah, who was born in Middlesbrough but has family in Darlington, said: "When will it actually stop. It seems they are actually wanting to put people off coming into town instead of drawing them in. 

"Whenever I come into the town now it is always so quiet with shops closing down all the time and to be honest I am not surprised.

"Something like an initiative to bring people to the town over Christmas would be great especially something like free parking for a certain amount of time. I would definitely use that.

"Right now I just park at my grandma's house and walk into the town as it is much easier and cheaper."

Anne, a 68-year-old from Mowden in Darlington said: "It's a big shame about it really. I used to drive in whenever I came but tried the bus today. 

"It is a lot cheaper but its not been great because I had to stand in the cold for a little while whilst waiting for the bus so I may have to rethink that too. 

"It is sad seeing the town centre like this but in a time where everything is so expensive anyways I understand why people won't or can't pay any extra charges."

Marie, 43, who lives around Darlington said: "It is only 20p extra an hour but I guess that can add up.

"The council need to show what they are doing with the extra funds this will create and then maybe it will be better received."

Paul said: "It is ruining it for shops too. Many people now just go to the places that frankly have the same or better shops and free parking. 

"It's all the independents in the town that suffer because they would never get to open shops in those centres so they just see the lack of footfall. 

"I can think of so many different things the council could cut down on and instead invest in the parking that has already since it changed to have no free hours massively damaged the footfall in town." 

Councillor Stephen Harker, Labour leader of the council, encouraged residents to respond and comment on the proposed changes, which include the increased car parking charges. 

“We have wrestled with the challenge of proposing a balanced budget that achieves real savings while protecting, as far as possible, the vital services that people depend on,” he said. 

“There will be things in this set of proposals that people will look at and have questions or comments about.

“That’s why we’re having a full six-week consultation period, for people to take the time to understand what is being put forward and tell us what they think. If people have genuine suggestions of how we could do things differently, I’d be pleased to hear them.”