A SHAKE-up of parking charges in the Suffolk Coastal area, which will see charges introduced for the first time in some areas and increased in others, was given the green light last night .

A SHAKE-up of parking charges in the Suffolk Coastal area, which will see charges introduced for the first time in some areas and increased in others, was given the green light last night .

Suffolk Coastal District Council decided to go ahead with introducing the charges in Aldeburgh's previously free car parks in King Street and Oakley Square between March and September despite a storm of protest - including a 1,240-signature petition.

It approved plans to introduce fees at The Avenue car park in Woodbridge, subject to a slight change in hours, as well as seasonal charges at countryside or amenity car parks at Sizewell Beach and Melton Riverside.

The cabinet also decided to implement price rises in Felixstowe and Saxmundham as well as at other car parks across the district at its meeting last night .

The changes to the prices for parking will come into effect on June 1, except in the cases of Woodbridge and Aldeburgh, where there will be a statutory consultation before they are set up in July.

This was despite objections being registered from Leiston-cum Sizewell Town Council, Melton Parish Council, Saxmundham Town Council, Leiston Business Association and Felixstowe Town Council.

Aldeburgh Town Council was unanimously opposed to the plan and Aldeburgh Business Association warned it would have "a negative impact on the commercial, recreational, tourist and residential life of Aldeburgh".

Andy Smith, cabinet member for car parks at the council, said last night: "Both I and the officers and the cabinet looked very hard at the proposals made to us by Aldeburgh Business Association.

"From our experience elsewhere the proposals to increase charges at the other two car parks to enable those to stay free would genuinely affect the town.

"There are new yellow lines to be added by the county council, which will mean it will lose a few off-street car parking spaces, which underlines the need for there to be spaces available at Kirkley Street and Oakley Square."

He said that those who had protested against the plans "probably would not be convinced" but assured them the council had carefully thought through the measures and felt it was the best for the places and for council taxpayers.