A NEW one-hour parking rate is to be introduced at both long and short stay car parks in Redcar.

Motorists will pay 60p for a one-hour stay and £1 for two hours' parking in the town's long-stay car parks from next month.

Coun Sylvia Szintai, lead councillor for environment and infrastructure, said: "We have listened to the public and the business community who have told us they want maximum flexibility. People want to be able to go to the nearest car park and buy the amount of time that suits them."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council was last week accused of 'money grabbing' by people furious at the introduction of a parking scheme that stops motorists handing over tickets to each other.

But Coun Szintai said: "We don't think people will have the need to pass on tickets because of the new rates."

The council's policy and resources committee is expected to approve the new charges on Tuesday.