A consultation has now closed on parking charges that are to be applied in the car parks in Biggleswade town centre.

The town council has decided to review the management of its car parks to try to ensure there is the right balance of available parking for commuters, residents and shoppers using the town centre.

The consultation closed on Tuesday and the council will now consider all responses submitted before bringing in the charges in the spring.

Councillors have long called for more parking in the town amid fears that shoppers are being put off because car parks are full.

There has been no effective regulation in the council’s car parks for 18 months since the contractor that was overseeing them pulled out.

Before that there were limits on time, but no actual charges.

Biggleswade mayor Michael North previously told the Comet the move should help mean there is more space for shoppers using the town centre and he hopes cars that are being left standing in car parks for long periods of time will be removed.

Under the new plans Mill Street and St Andrews Street car parks will have a pay and display machine covering three hours with no return within three hours.

At Chestnut Avenue the limit will be four hours with no return within four hours.

Rose Lane car park will be six hours pay and display with no return within four hours and Dan Albone will be nine hours with no return within four hours.

White Hart will be one hour with no return within two hours. The first hour parking in each car park will be free if the plans are approved and then £1 for up to two hours, £1.50 for three hours, £2 for four hours and a maximum of £2.50 for nine hours at Dan Albone and six hours at Rose Lane.

There will be no charges between 6pm and 8am or Sundays and bank holidays.

Those who live and work in the town can apply for a limited number of parking permits, but charges will apply.