New short-stay parking charges have been introduced in Tamworth Borough Council-run car parks throughout Tamworth in an attempt to help town centre traders and shoppers.

From August 1, a new 70p rate for 30 minutes has been introduced in the Church Lane and Lower Gungate car parks, as well as a fixed £4.50 charge for more than four hours.

Long-stay parking has been reintroduced at the Hospital Street car park, charged at £4.50 for more than four hours.

The costs of parking in the Jolly Sailor and Riverdrive car parks has been cut from £2.50 to £1.50 all day, and a charge of £1 for three hours has been introduced. The cost of annual passes for these two car parks has also been cut to £20 per month, £100 for six months and £170 for an annual pass.

Tamworth Borough Council has brought in the changes in response to calls from town centre traders and shoppers for reductions in the cost of car parking charges and a wider choice of parking options.

A number of shoppers and regular visitors to the town have requested a half-hour parking charge, while the all-day option is popular with traders and people working in the town centre.

A monthly permit costing £60 is also now available for use in the town centre car parks, in a further attempt to help town centre workers.

Feedback from visitors to the Castle and the Castle Grounds showed that there was a lot of interest in a three-hour parking charge, which is being brought in at the Jolly Sailor and Riverdrive car parks.