New parking charges have come into force across Chester’s council-run car parks.

The new prices, which kicked in today (Wednesday, April 11), are part of a new 15-year parking strategy brought in to help the cash-strapped council generate income following cuts to local authority funding.

The most controversial aspect of the new strategy saw the scrapping of the Free After 3 scheme, which allowed shoppers to park free of charge in certain city car parks from 3pm onwards.

However, short-stay tariffs have been reduced in several central car parks. The idea is to support shoppers and discourage commuters from parking for extended hours where demand is high. Longer-stay charges for some of the city’s outer car parks have also been lowered.

A flat rate of £5 all day has been introduced at Little Roodee and Watergate Street to encourage longer stay use. "Cheap and simple" flat rate evening tariffs are be available at all car parks, the council say.

Public parking charges at Christleton Road car park are unchanged. Frodsham Street and Hamilton Place car parks are reserved principally for Blue Badge holders and remain unchanged.

Blue Badge holders who are borough residents will also be able to continue to park without charge at pay on exit (ANPR) car parks for four hours on any day.

The parking plan is to ensure parking in Chester is "fit for purpose and positively contributes to the city’s economy", council bosses say. But when it was announced last year, it drew criticism from business leaders and Conservative councillors who attacked the loss of the Free After 3 scheme, which was brought in 10 years ago to encourage footfall.

New charges came into force last week in Ellesmere Port, where Free After 3 has also been axed.

The new Chester car park charges are:

Brook Street

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 1 hour – £1

1 to 2 hours – £2

2 to 4 hours – £3

4 to 6 hours – £4

Over 6 hours – £5

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day) – £1.50

Cuppin Street:

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 1 hour – £3

1 to 2 hours – £4.50

2 to 4 hours – £6

4 to 6 hours – £8

Over 6 hours – £10

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day): £2

Delamere Street

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 1 hour – £2.50

1 to 2 hours – £3

2 to 3 hours – £3.50

3 to 4 hours – £4

4 to 5 hours – £4.50

5 to 6 hours – £5

6 to 7 hours – £5.50

Over 7 hours – £6

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day) – £3

Garden Lane

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 1 hour – £1

1 to 2 hours – £2

2 to 4 hours – £3

4 to 6 hours – £4

Over 6 hours – £5

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day) – £1.50

Little Roodee

Cars (Monday to Friday):

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 12 hours – £5

12 to 24 hours – £8

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day) – £1.50

Weekend tariff (6pm Friday to 10am Monday) – £10

Buses (coaches) and goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes:

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 3 hours – £5.50

3 to 6 hours – £8

6 to 12 hours – £10

Arrivals after 6pm (to 10am the following day) – £5

Market

Arrivals before 6pm:

Up to 1 hour – £2.50

1 to 2 hours – £3

2 to 3 hours – £3.50

3 to 4 hours – £4

4 to 5 hours – £4.50

5 to 6 hours – £5

6 to 7 hours – £5.50

Over 7 hours – £6

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day): £2

Trinity Street

Monday to Friday:

Up to 1 hour – £3

1 to 2 hours – £4.50

2 to 4 hours – £6

4 to 6 hours – £8

Over 6 hours – £10

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day): £2

Weekend tariff (6pm Friday to 10am Monday) – £10

Watergate

All day (7am to 6.59 the following day): £5

Arrivals after 6pm (to 6.59am the following day) – £1.50