Somerset residents will have to part with more of their hard-earned cash to park in their town centres from September.

South Somerset District Council is increasing its car parking charges for the first time since 2012.

Wincanton’s car parks will cease being free from September, after the end of a funding agreement between the district and town councils.

The district council has said its car parks remain among the cheapest in the south west, and the below-inflation rise will “help to provide better services for residents across the district.”

The council took £149,000 less than it expected from its car parks in the last financial year, according to its official statement of accounts.

Council leader Val Keitch said: “It’s no secret that we have seen falling revenue in car parks due to them being under-used, but investing in our town centres in Yeovil, Chard and Wincanton will hopefully boost footfall due to the better experience for residents and visitors.

“This isn’t a way of making a quick few pounds, because we use the income to provide services to our residents.”

Councillor Peter Seib, portfolio holder for finance, said the council had “kept the cost to a minimum” despite its grant from central government being cut progressively since 2010.

He said: “We felt that an inflationary parking charge rise was justified to match cost increases and to help to fund CCTV, improved lighting, and environmental improvements.”

While part of the car parking revenue the council earns goes on operating and maintaining its existing sites, the money also goes on staff wages, technology (e.g. pay by phone apps) and providing new sites – such as a new 60-space car park off the A30 in Crewkerne, which was approved in June.

Charges are being introduced in Wincanton following a decision by the town council to stop paying the district council to cover the cost of providing free parking in the town.

A similar arrangement remains in place with Castle Cary Town Council, meaning the town’s car parks will remain free.

It would cost the council £2million to implement free car parking across all sites in the district – money which would have to come from cutting services or increasing people’s council tax bills.

Here’s a breakdown of how much it will cost you to park in every car park the council operates from September 1:

Bruton

Higher Backway: Free

Packhorse Bridge: Free

Station Road: Free

Tolbury Mill: Free

 

Castle Cary

Millbrook Gardens: Free

St Catherine’s Close: Free

 

Chard (Mon-Sat unless specified)

Bath Street: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = £1.20, 3 hours = £1.50, 4 hours = £2.80

Boden Street: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = £1.20, 3 hours = £1.50, all day = £2.70

Combe Street: 2 hours = £1.10, all day = £2.70

Crowshute: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 90p, all day = £1.70 (£2.15 for public service vehicles)

Essex Close: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = £1.20, 3 hours = £1.50, 4 hours= £2.80

Lace Mills: free (permit holders only in designated area)

Marketfield: 2 hours = £1.10, all day = £2.70

The Minnows: 2 hours = £1.10, all day = £2.70

 

Crewkerne (Mon-Sat unless specified)

Abbey Street: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, all day = £2.15

Henhayes: 1 hour = 45p, 2 hours = 75p, all day = £2.15

Henhayes Centre: free (permit holders only)

Market Square: free (30 mins only)

South Street 1 (Waitrose): 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, 3 hours = £1.30

South Street 2 (Lidl): 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, 3 hours = £1.30, 4 hours = £2.40

West Street: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, all day = £2.15

 

Ilchester

Limington Road: free

 

Ilminster (Mon-Sat unless specified)

Orchard Vale: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, all day = £1.70

Shudrick Lane South: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, 4 hours = £1.30, all day = £1.70

West Street: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, all day = £1.70

 

Langport

Cocklemoor: free

Stacey’s Court: free

Town Square: free

 

Martock

Moorlands: free

 

Milborne Port

Main Street: free

Town Hall: free

 

Somerton

Brunel: free

Cox’s Yard: free

Half Moon: free

Market Square: free

Paddock House: up to 5 hours = £1, all day = £2

Unicorn: free

 

South Petherton

Prigg Lane: free

 

Stoke-sub-Hamdon

Ham Hill Road: free

 

Wincanton (Mon-Sat unless specified)

Carrington Way (Lower): 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, all day = £1.70

Carrington Way (Upper): 2 hours = 85p, 4 hours = £1.30, all day = £1.70

Churchfields: 2 hours = 85p, all day = £1.70

Memorial Hall: 1 hour = 65p, 2 hours = 85p, 4 hours = £1.30, all day = £1.70

 

Yeovil (Mon-Sat unless specified)

Birchfield (Lyde Road): free

Box Factory (South Street): 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40, 4 hours = £3.90, 5 hours = £5.40, 6 hours = £6.90, 7 hours = £8.40, 8 hours = £9.90, 9 hours = £11.40, 10 hours = £12.90

Box Factory (Woodland Grove): permit holders only

Brunswick Street: £3.20 all day (£2.70 all day Saturday)

Brympton Way (council offices): free for 1 hour/ permit holders only

Bus station: public service vehicles only

Court Ash: 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40, 4 hours = £3.90, 5 hours = £5.40, 6 hours = £6.90, 7 hours = £8.40, 8 hours = £9.90, 9 hours = £11.40, 10 hours = £12.90

Earle Street: 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40, 4 hours = £3, all day = £4.30

Fairfield: £3.20 all day (£2.70 all day Saturday)

Goldcroft: £3.20 all day (£2.70 all day Saturday)

Goldenstones (short stay): 1 hour = 75p, 2 hours = £1.50, 3 hours = £2.15

Goldenstones (long stay): 1 hour = 75p, 2 hours = £1.50, 3 hours = £2.15, all day = £3.20 (£2.70 all day Saturday)

Huish: 1 hour = £1.10, 2 hours = £1.90, all day = £3.20 (£2.70 all day Saturday)

Market Street:  all day = £3.20 (£2.70 all day Saturday)

Middle Street: 1 hour = 85p, 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40

Newton Road: 1 hour = £1.30, 2 hours = £2.40

Ninesprings: free

North Lane: 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40

Park Street: 30 mins = 65p, 1 hour = £1.30

Peter Street: 30 mins = 65p, 1 hour = £1.30

Petters Way: 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40, 4 hours = £3.90, 5 hours = £5.40, 6 hours = £6.90, 7 hours = £8.40, 8 hours = £9.90, 9 hours = £11.40, 10 hours = £12.90

South Street (inc. Market): 30 mins = 65p, 1 hour = £1.30

Stars Lane: 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40, 4 hours = £3, all day = £4.30

West Hendford: 2 hours = £1.70, 3 hours = £2.40

Yeovil Recreation Ground: free