NORTH Yorkshire County Council is introducing evening and Sunday parking charges in Harrogate.

The council said the proposal is intended to ensure on-street spaces are available for short-stay shoppers on Sundays and night-time visitors to Harrogate by encouraging drivers who want to stay for longer to park in the town’s off-street car parks.

A council spokesperson said: “As things stand, people can leave their cars from 6pm on Saturday night overnight and through all day Sunday in premium town centre spaces without paying a fee.

“This leads to a shortage of on-street, short-stay spaces for visitors and shoppers. Similarly, evening charges are proposed because the current situation enables people to leave their cars at 6pm through until 8am the next morning at no cost, reducing options for evening visitors wishing to enjoy Harrogate’s growing leisure, catering and entertainment opportunities.”

The county council is proposing that a £2 flat fee is introduced for on-street parking after 6pm. It is also proposing that during Sunday day, charges are applied at the same rate as currently Monday to Saturday.