COUNCILLORS are being urged to introduce charges at more Darlington car parks.

Darlington Borough Council has already approved an increase in charges at its long and short-stay parks.

It has also made some of its long-stay car parks short-stay to boost income.

The council's cabinet will be told tomorrow that introducing charges to more car parks should help minimise revenue losses, which result from users seeking other locations to park, rather than paying the increased charges.

The long-stay car parks which are presently free are at Parkgate, Hird Street, Chesnut Street and Park Lane.

One of the largest car parks, at Chesnut Street, is not covered by closed-circuit television (CCTV), so councillors are being recommended to approve a rate of £1 per day.

The other big car park, Park Lane, has CCTV coverage, but it is suggested that the charge is limited to £1.50 per day because of its distance from the town centre, and the fact it is in poor condition.

Cash to bring the car parks up to standard will be met from Local Transport Plan funds.

Cabinet members are being recommended to approve the introduction of long-stay parking charges at uncharged car parks.