A PACKAGE of measures to rake in an extra £180,000 from parking in the town centre is being considered by Wrexham Council.

At their meeting next Tuesday, members of the authority’s executive board will be asked to approve a three-year rolling programme which, for the first time, would see charges for evening and on-street parking.

There would also be fees generated from a new permit to allow vehicles to unload and service town centre businesses.

Principal council engineer Darren Williams said the aim was to introduce a 50p flat rate charge for parking in the central area between 6pm and midnight.

He said this was the result of “increasing demand” for parking in the evening.

The measures also include a proposal to increase the period when charges are levied for off-street parking by one hour from 8am-5pm to 8am-6pm.

However, Mr Williams stressed no increase in tariffs for off-street parking was planned.

There are currently 100 on-street bays in and around the town centre where drivers can leave their vehicles free of charge for maximum periods of 30 minutes or an hour.

In 10 areas where demand for these spaces is greatest, including Chester Street, Holt Street, Brook Street, Mount Street, Egerton Street and King Street, the council is now planning to introduce flat rate pay-and-display charges of 50p for 30 minutes and £1 for an hour.

A further proposal is the introduction of a parking permit to allow vehicles to unload or service town centre businesses.

To cover its administration costs, including the suspension of traffic orders, the council would make a charge for the permit of £10 for one day and £20 for one week.

Mr Williams said that, if approved, the measures would be gradually introduced over the next two to three years, eventually bringing an extra £180,000 into council coffers.

Council leader, Cllr Aled Roberts, said the authority had reduced its parking charges over the past two years in a bid to stimulate interest in the town and support its retailers.

He added: “These proposals continue with that policy.

“The council has to look at ways of increasing revenue to maintain investment in all its facilities, including car parks.

“Our parking charges compare favourably with those in other authorities.”

Cllr Roberts also revealed the council was considering bringing in illuminated information boards to show motorists where parking spaces are available.