Car parking charges in Leek are to increase after plans were approved today by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council - but parking for short periods of time will be free.

The district council's car parking strategy was approved earlier today at a meeting of the council's Cabinet.

A plan was presented to councillors during the meeting detailing the new charges that will now be brought in for Leek and the rest of the council's car parks in the Moorlands.

The new charges for Leek's car parks are as follows:

- 30 mins: Free (except for prime short stay car parks, where 1 hour must still be paid for)

- 1 hour: £1.20 (up from £1)

- 2 hours: £1.90 (up from £1.50)

- 3 hours: £2.80 (up from £1.90)

- 10 hours: £3.50 (up from £2.40) - (this charge will only apply in long stay variable car parks)

Leek's prime short stay car parks are located at: Market Place, Brook Street, Queen Street, Regent Street, Silk Street, Market Street West and Market Street East.

The charges are set to be put in place from 8am - 6pm on Monday to Saturday. Introducing Sunday charges is not currently planned but this will be kept under review for the future.

If the new charges are approved across the Moorlands the council is set to bring in around £770,000 from car parking charges over the coming year.

Discussing the new charges for Leek the report states: "A half hour free period is to be introduced at car parks in Leek, except for those that are already operating close to capacity at peak times (which are identified as Prime Short Stay).

"This whilst supporting convenience trips and school pick-ups, will also help encourage peak demand to re-balance towards the other car parks in the town, thereby helping reduce congestions and ensuring that there is also more space availability at the most popular car parks."

It adds: "Car parking in Leek is dominated by more, but smaller car parks which adds to the congestion in the town as drivers may visit multiple sites in search of adequate parking.

"Convenience and ease of paying and finding a space dominate feedback in Leek rather than request for free parking. Consideration should be given to consolidating car parks into larger more efficient car parks and disposing of smaller ones on a case by case basis. Wayfinding and confusing signage issues should be addressed."

The new charges will be reviewed after one year to evaluate their impact.

Councillors today voted unanimously to approve the new charges.