PARKING in Leominster could soon become free after 6pm.

Proposals by Herefordshire Council – which aimed to raise £328,026 per year from Leominster car parks – were strongly objected to by the town council's parking working group.

But changes could be on the way as part of an alternative set of proposals put forward by the town council.

These would see parking become free after 6pm once again and a reduced charge of £2.50 would be levied on lorries using Broad Street.

A single charge of £1 for all day parking across all four car parks on Sunday has also been proposed while the town council has also called for consideration to be given to reducing the current on-street parking stay in Broad Street, Rainbow Street and Corn Square from one hour to 30 minutes.

On-street disabled parking provision would be protected and enhanced under the proposals while season tickets would be charged at £360 per annum or £95 per quarter in Broad Street and Dishley Street car parks.

Clive Thomas, chairman of the parking working group, said the new proposals would ensure 'sensible parking charges' across Leominster although the town council had expressed a desire for the car parks to be transferred back to its control.

Herefordshire Council confirmed that the alternative tariff proposals put forward should meet the level of income it is looking to achieve.

However, any final decision around the level of charges will ultimately depend on the outcome of the wider council budget consultation and agreement by the relevant cabinet member.

In a statement, Herefordshire Council said: "Kington, Bromyard and Ross-on-Wye town councils were offered selected car parks, as part of a package, including assets and services that have a cost to run them. All took up this option, with Ross-on-Wye subsequently deciding to omit the option of transfer of the car parks.

"In respect of Leominster, when the package was initially presented in July 2013, car parks were an option, under additional services, but were subject to the town council taking on a whole package of services, such as open spaces and toilets.

"At that time, the town council decided to go for a limited set of services, being two toilet blocks and the retail market. The retail market provides an income, which the town council receives to help support the running of the toilets."