Drivers could soon pay more to park in Stockport town centre under new plans by the council – but concerns were raised about the potential impact of the move on workers and businesses.

A review of parking charges in the town centre is expected to see costs increase for motorists in a bid to save £500,000 in the council's annual budget.

Proposals could see charges increase Monday to Friday from £1.10 to £1.50 for one hour, from £2.20 to £3.00 for two hours, and £3.30 to £4.50 for three hours, with costs increasing every hour up to 12 hours.

Cheaper rates are available on Sundays for on-street and off-street parking, and these are also set to go up.

It comes as Stockport council said it is under 'significant budget pressures' across more than 800 services it provides in the borough.

Councillors discussed the proposals at a scrutiny meeting at the town hall on January 26.

Lib Dem Councillor Grace Baynam, Stockport council's cabinet member for transport, said the council is 'looking at a [funding] gap of around £75m over the next five years.'

She added: "In terms of what we're doing here, it's looking at our costs and looking at the situation in the town centre.

"You might have noticed a lot of the private car parks within the town centre have increased their fees because of increased demand, and this is keeping pace with demand and clawing back a bit more of our costs within this.

"It's to try and modernise what our parking charges are, at the same time as trying to make sure that our services are paying for themselves and covering their costs more readily."

Labour Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick said: "The headline is clearly going to be that Stockport council is hammering motorists and local businesses with a 36 per cent increase to parking charges, what would your response to that be?"

Cllr Baynham pointed out that Stockport is 'broadly comparable if not slightly cheaper to similar towns of this size'.

Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on town-centre workers who need to drive and could face paying higher fees.

The response was that people can 'buy a permit at a reduced rate' for yearly parking for those whose 'only option' is to use a council car park.

Stockport council also recently introduced parking charges at some car parks which were previously free to use.

The council's budget is currently being scrutinised by elected members, and will be voted on by all councillors on February 26.