Parking permits for residents has been increased for the first time in eight years.

New car parking charges have been brought in across Gloucestershire with immediate effect.

Following a council meeting in December, Gloucestershire County Council approved plans to increase the costs of on-street parking.

Parking permits for residents has also seen a rise, with a £10 per year increase bringing the cost for first time permits to £60.

There will be a £20 increase to the cost of permits for second cars.

The changes are in line with the council’s long-standing policy of aligning parking charges with Gloucestershire’s district councils and private operators.

It is aimed to encourage motorists to park off street which helps reduce congestion and improve road safety.

Defending the decision, Gloucestershire County Council say that the permits still remain lower than they were in 2011.

Back in December, Cllr David Norman, the cabinet member responsible for parking said: “The charges in many of our town and city centre parking bays have not increased in more than ten years and our business and resident permit costs have been frozen since 2011 – despite increasing enforcement costs and more demand for on street parking spaces.

"We set our charges looking at districts’ on-street parking fees – they know their local areas best and we follow their lead carefully.

“Any money we make from parking, funds our parking service costs, with any extra going to other improvements in traffic management, road improvements, subsidised buses and concessionary transport, that help reduce the pressure on the roads."

The council plans to move to a 'pay per minute' model which will allow for more flexibility for short stay on street parkers and will be introduced mainly in Gloucester and Cheltenham where demand for parking spaces is higher.