COUNCILLORS are expected to deliver a double blow to Darlington residents next week, by approving increased car parking charges in addition to an 8.4 per cent council tax increase.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet will be asked on Tuesday to support a town centre on-street car parking scheme that would see motorists charged £1 an hour on roads that already have waiting restrictions.

Last night, the car parking scheme was described as "yet another stealth tax" by Councillor Tony Richmond, leader of the Darlington Conservatives group.

He said: "It will do nothing to persuade people to use Darlington town centre.

"A successful town centre should encourage people to come in and shop. What these charges will do is persuade people to go elsewhere."

But Councillor Nick Wallis, the authority's cabinet member for highways, said it would create equality in car parking provision.

"At the moment we have on and off-street car parking, some of which is free of charge and some of which is paid for.

"What we find is that people drive round and round looking for spaces, causing traffic problems.

"This would ensure a high turnover of spaces. I don't think it will be negative as far as businesses are concerned."

The scheme is expected to raise £270,000, which would be used to offset the cost of waste disposal in the borough.

"This isn't money disappearing into the ether," said Coun Wallis.

"It's money being used by the authority to invest in services."

If the cabinet approves the scheme on Tuesday, consultation with residents, police and businesses will take place and a final decision will be made in June. The charges would come into force in October.

At the same meeting, the cabinet will decide whether to approve the proposed council tax increase before a final decision by the full council on March 10.

The roads being considered for car parking charges are: Beaumont Street, South Street, Grange Road, Northumberland Street, Larchfield Street, Powlett Street, Primrose Street, East Raby Street, Raby Street, West Powlett Street, Duke Street, Barnard Street, Winston Street, Napier Street, Abbey Road, King Street, Kendrew Street, Gladstone Street, North Lodge Terrace, Park Place, Hargreave Terrace, Victoria Road and Victoria Embankment.

The authority estimates that its council tax rise next year will be 7.5 per cent.

Last March, it estimated that this year's council tax rise would amount to 4.5 per cent.