CONTROVERSIAL parking charge hikes for council-run car parks across Poole will come into effect from Monday.

The new charges will effect town centre car parks, district car parks and parking permits across the borough.

Monday will also see the introduction of parking charges at Upton Country Park for the first time.

Visitors will be charged between 50p and £3 during the winter season and 80p to £4 in the summer season. There is also the option to buy an annual permit costing £40.

It comes as Borough of Poole’s planning committee approved plans to improve car parking facilities at the Park and increase the number of parking spaces by more than 100 to 336.

Committee chairman Peter Pawlowski said: “This significant improvement to the facilities at Upton Country Park will add to the visitor experience and encourage more of our residents to visit and use the house and park.”

From Monday parking charge rates at Borough of Poole’s (BOP) town centre car parks will increase to £1 an hour, from 80p. The £1.50 flat rate for Sunday parking will also be replaced with Monday to Saturday rates - and a £2 evening/overnight flat charge after 10pm will be introduced.

Currently, one hour’s parking at BOP district car parks in areas such as Ashley Road, Ashley Cross, Broadstone, Canford Cliffs and Penn Hill, cost 40p an hour, rising to £1.30 for a three hour stay. However, fees will rise to £1 for an hour, £1.50 for two hours, then £3.50 for three. Annual season ticket holders for Poole’s district car parks will also see their £225 season tickets rise to £500.

Parking charges in roads near to beaches and five parks in the borough are now set to be introduced after Easter.

The parks effected include Hamworthy Park, Lake Pier, Newfoundland Drive, Ham Common and Whitecliff Park and the proposed tariff is free parking for up to 30 minutes, £1 for up to two hours and £2 for up to 10 hours.

Pay-and-display will also be installed in 11 roads near the town’s beaches.