CONTROVERSIAL rises in car parking charges have "damaged" Worcester, according to the city council's deputy leader.

Councillor Marc Bayliss says the Conservative leadership is determined not to "discourage" people from Worcester as it looks to make temporary cuts in the charges permanent next week.

As your Worcester News revealed earlier this month, a crunch vote is taking place next Tuesday at full council in an attempt to make the summer's 'cut price' parking offer a lasting one.

The new rates, which came into force in July, saw prices revert back to tariffs as low as 40p for 30 minutes and £1 after 7pm.

The Tory cabinet's summer move followed rises in parking charges by the previous Labour administration, which lost power in June.

Cllr Bayliss, speaking during a cabinet meeting, said: "Our manifesto on which we were elected included a pledge to cut charges.

"We did that because we believe in the laws of supply and demand - if you put the prices down demand goes up.

"The rises were ill thought out and ill conceived, it put off visitors and damaged the tourist economy - it had quite a devastating impact.

"Croft Road car park has seen the most significant reduction in patronage, down £44,000 on its target to the end of August - people have clearly been discouraged from using it.

"We think it's in Worcester's interests to do what we are doing, and we also believe it commands support from the public and businesses in the county."

Councillor Andy Roberts, cabinet member for finance, said: "Residents themselves have made it clear they'd rather pay a reasonable price than be stung with what in effect is an extra tax."

During the cabinet meet Labour Councillor George Squires challenged the Tories by asking "what evidence" they had of either traders or the city in general suffering from the previous rises.

Cllr Bayliss responded by saying: "It's not a tap you can turn on and off, I sincerely believe the decision to increase prices last year was misguided.

"I believe it had an impact on the city's fortunes."

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, said: "You can get a bad reputation far easier than getting a good one."

The cabinet voted in favour of taking it to a vote at full council.

As your Worcester News revealed earlier this month, the authority believes making the offer permanent could result in £129,000 'lost' income for 2014/15.