MOTORISTS would be hit heavily in the pocket if charges to use Newport car parks rise with the new budget in April.

Subject to consultation with the City Centre Partnership, charges for parking are set to increase all over Newport, in one case by 100 per cent.

Increases would depend on which car park is being used and how long you park for. Newport council's portfolio for transport and sustainable development needs just over £2.1m from parking fees and charges to balance the budget for 2003/04.

The projected income however, is £1.83m, giving a budget shortfall of £266,800. A council report states that this is primarily due to the early closure of Kings-way multi-storey car park last July.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "A decision has been taken by the cabinet member for transport and sustainable development on a proposed increase in car-parking prices. "These would accommodate the growing demands of car parking maintenance and highways budgets including issues of road safety and maintenance, areas identified as priorities for the city.

"This is now subject to a five working day 'call-in' period where members of the council can challenge this move, followed by a consultation process with the City Centre Partnership before a final decision is taken."

Malcolm Hall, director of the City Centre Partnership, confirmed that a meeting of the partnership is currently being arranged to discuss the new charge increases. He said: "Once that meeting has taken place we'll be putting our recommendations forward to the council."

In a report two years ago, the City Centre Partnership referred to the poor condition of the multi-storey car parks and consumer reaction to rising prices when they can see no improvement in car parking conditions.

President of Newport's Chamber of Trade, Mary Summers, said: "We haven't discussed it as the chamber of trade but my personal opinion is that these increases will drive people out of Newport."

Conservative councillor Matthew Evans called the move "outrageous".

PICTURED: Janina Cegielski and Carlie Brown paying at a city centre car park.