DRIVERS are facing a possible rise in town centre multi-storey car parking charges.

The changes being considered by Worthing Borough Council would generate an extra £200,000 a year.

Councillors say the extra income would help fund an upgrade of the town’s car parks.

The sites affected are Buckingham Road, High Street and Grafton.

They would keep their current £1 charge for up to an hour’s parking but two hours would increase from £2 to £2.30.

The cost of up to three hours would go up from £3 to £3.60 and five hours would increase to £6.

The all-day charge of £10 would stay the same.

There are also plans to increase prices at the Lyndhurst Road surface car park by an average of about 30p.

The council generates more than £2 million a year in income from its car parks.

The extra £200,000 would help support an investment programme for High Street and Buckingham Road car parks, some of which is already under way.

New lighting and replacement CCTV has already been installed in both car parks.

This together with recently introduced night patrols will improve security at all sites.

A programme to replace lifts in Buckingham Road will get under way next month.

Future works will include refurbishment of parking decks, entrances and public stairwells and new signage.

Council executive member for environment Diane Guest said: “We know that having sufficient high-quality parking is critical to Worthing’s local economy.

“Not only are multi-storeys quite often the first thing visitors see, but they also help reduce congestion in the town centre.

“That’s why it’s vital that we up our game and ensure that our car parks are welcoming, safe and accessible to all.

“This would be the first price increase since we brought the off-street car parks back in house in 2014.

“However we have ensured they remain competitive and represent value for money.”

Customers will continue to pay £1 per hour for up to four hours on Saturdays and free parking on Sundays at the Civic Centre car park behind the town hall.

The council says the charges will still be lower than on-street parking for up to two hours.

President of Worthing and Adur chamber of commerce Chris Coopey said: “Worthing has been in the fortunate position to not have any issues about the cost of parking since 2014.

“There is a general feel that we need to see improvements in the car parks in respect to safety, lighting and an improved appearance.”

Mr Coopey said Worthing showed good value compared with other destinations.