PARKING prices for visitors to Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in the St Albans district have increased by 50 per cent – but motorists have been told it is good value . The cost of a visitor parking voucher has risen to 30p with drivers now paying an ext

PARKING prices for visitors to Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in the St Albans district have increased by 50 per cent - but motorists have been told it is "good value".

The cost of a visitor parking voucher has risen to 30p with drivers now paying an extra 10p to park in particular streets during the hours when controls are in place.

It is the first price increase in the Visitor Parking Voucher scheme since it was put in place in 1999. Steve Deakin, parking contract manager for the St Albans district, said the decision to increase the charge was made in 2007 and no-one had objected it at the time.

St Albans city centre is one of the areas within the Voucher Parking Zone, and drivers must pay the new fare to park there between the hours of 8.30am to 8.00pm Monday to Saturday. Controlled areas further out of the centre generally operate either from 10.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

Mr Deakin added: "The cost of 20p for up to four hours parking has remained at this level since 1999 and the increase to 30p for up to four hours remains good value.