The cost of parking in Bracknell town centre is set to rise from October – despite warnings that the increase could drive shoppers and businesses elsewhere.

Charges at The Avenue, High Street, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks will all rise from October 1 after a vote by Bracknell Forest councillors.

Prices at the four council-run car parks could rise to £2 for an hour, £3.50 for two hours, and £4.40 for three hours. This is up from £1.80, £3.20 and £4.10.

The maximum charge – for a stay of over eight hours – would be £11.40, up from £10.50. All day tickets for Bracknell and Wokingham College students using Braccan Walk car park will also rise from £2 to £2.50.

Members of the council’s Town Centre Regeneration Committee voted for the changes at a meeting on Monday, September 11. But

Councillor Gareth Barnard, leader of the opposition Conservative group, raised fears that it could put people off shopping in The Lexicon, and drive businesses away – with an hours’ parking at The Oracle in Reading now set to be cheaper than in Bracknell.

He said: “Footfall is important to maintaining The Lexicon in the state it is.

“I want to know the reassurance you can send to those that are investing in our town centre – the retailers that have come to it – that actually this won’t undermine that footfall and actually damage the longer term prospects given that we know that investors can make decisions as to whether they continue to invest, pull out, sell on etc.”

Labour councillor Paul Bidwell responded that the increases were necessary due to an increase in costs and a fall in income for the council. It came after the council revealed it could spend up to £4 million more than it has budgeted for this year across all of its services.

Councillor Bidwell said: “Nobody wants to increase any charges to the public but unfortunately the situation over the past few years has seen revenue drop while costs have increased.

“There’s no alternative but to go to a position where we can optimise our income and minimise any overrunning costs.”

Councillor Helen Purnell pointed out it would still be cheaper to park in for more than an hour Bracknell than in other nearby shopping centres.

Damian James, the council’s assistant director of contract services, had told the committee that the council would make a net loss on parking of £266,000 if it didn’t increase charges.

In contrast he said the approved increases mean the council will gain a net income of £11,000 a year.