STV NewsMotorists in Scotland’s capital will pay more for on-street parking after councillors voted to increase the charge by 20%.
Edinburgh council said the money is expected to raise around £800,000 and will help keep other costs down.
This includes services that impact elderly residents and those on low incomes.
Burial fees and community alarm and telecare services will also be kept at current levels, the local authority said.
£100,000 of the cash raised from the price rises will also go towards community-led cultural projects.
The charges will take effect on April 3 but will not apply to resident permits or town centres.
The plan was backed by SNP and Green councillors on the finance and resource committee on Thursday who said it would help “alleviate the impact of poverty and reflect the true cost of driving in our city”.
Labour had proposed an increase of 16%.
The council’s transport and environment convener warned the price hike may not raise as much as expected because it could deter people from parking in the city.
Labour councillor Scott Arthur said: “Any rise in parking charges will reduce the level of use (not always a bad thing). The SNP/Greens are hoping that whilst demand will fall, total income will rise.
“I think they got this wrong. Labour estimated the limit was 16%, and beyond that income would start to fall … and Edinburgh is hooked on parking income.
“Less demand for on-street parking might be a good thing, but the real problem here is that the SNP/Greens may be trying to pay for services with income that does not exist.”
The City of Edinburgh Council said it will release a full list of the new charges soon.
Residents can view the current proposals here.
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