MOTORISTS face inflation busting increases of almost seven per cent in car parking charges from April.

Drivers using Bolton council-run car parks will have to stump up to help raise £45,000 to cover budget shortfalls.

And a strong campaign is building to fight the proposed increases. Opponents of the move warn that any increase would have damaging effects on the vitality of the town centre. Some charges on the outskirts of the town centre may rise even more than seven per cent to keep increases lower on central car parks. Members of the environment policy development group will now compare the planned increases with fees in nearby towns before finally deciding what the new charges will be.

The planned increase comes following heavy criticism of parking policies and the approach of parking wardens in Bolton. The inflation rate is around three per cent.

Bolton town centre manager Cathy Savage said she wanted parking charges reduced, not increased as part of a drive to attract more shoppers and visitors to the town.

She said: "We are trying to encourage people into Bolton and we need to give them every reason to come here.

"But it is not only fees at car parks in the town centre which need to be protected. Car parks on the fringes of town play a vital role and help to keep down the traffic in the centre."

Andrew Dickson, president of Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce and managing director of St Andrew's Travel said the plans were "ill timed and insensitive."

Conservative Bromley Cross Councillor Norman Critchley, a member of the environment scrutiny committee, said increasing car parking fees was something to be avoided at all costs.

"I don't think the Council should be using car parking charges as a golden pot to cream money off the people of Bolton," he said.

"I am quite convinced there is other money which could be used if the will was there.

"The town centre has got to be protected, it is an absolute must."

Council parking bosses say some previous studies have shown parking prices in Bolton to be below the average for Greater Manchester.

Ian Taylor, head of car parking services, said he did not believe increases would be implemented at all the Council's car parks.

He said: "I think the Council will look to protect certain tariffs because we do not want to put people off coming into the town centre.

"It could be that fees may go up at long stay car parks on the edge of the town while others are not affected."

The planned increases would mean drivers parking on a typical car park such as Pool Street North paying £2.44 instead of £2.30 to park their car all day.

Executive member for environment Cllr Guy Harkin said the increases would be the first since 1997 and said he did not think they would affect town centre trade.

He said: "Parking charges at council car parks are so low that private parking companies are threatening to leave town because they cannot compete."