PARKING charges in Durham City centre will go up from next month, after councillors threw out objections from residents, traders and commuters.

Durham County Council's highways committee yesterday agreed to raise pay-and-display charges for short-stay parking on certain city centre streets to 40p per half hour, an increase of 10p.

Drivers using other streets will see fees increase from 20p to 30p a half hour.

Councillors approved the increases in the face of strong opposition from business leaders, residents and commuters.

More than 100 employees of Sunlight Services, a laundry in Neville's Cross, signed a petition against the changes.

Worker Andrea Jones said low-paid staff would not be able to meet the increased costs.

"This will result in people looking elsewhere for employment, or not working at all," she said.

"We come to work to earn money, not have it taken away in parking charges."

Colin Wilkes, managing director of the Durham Markets Company, had warned the new fees could further damage city centre businesses already threatened by out-of-town shopping centres.

However, Roger Elphick, from Durham County Council's highways department, said: "The point of these changes is to increase turnover in short-term parking spaces. They're not perfect, they're a compromise, but they're the best we can find.

"The challenges faced by staff at Sunlight Services are no different to those faced by any other city centre business.

" We've reached a point where something has to be done."

Mr Elphick also said new proposals for extending the Durham City park-and-ride scheme to the west of the city could be unveiled in the autumn.

Under the new charges, drivers parking in Old and New Elvet, Elvet Waterside, Prison Green, Framwellgate Waterside, Crossgate, Castle Chare and the Atherton Street area, will pay 40p for a half hour.

Parking in Green Lane and Elvet Hill Road will cost 30p a half hour.

Drivers parking for long than the limit will no longer be able to get a discounted fine of £10 if they pay on the day the charge is issued.

Fines paid within 14 days will increase to £30 and those paid after 14 days will go up to £60.

The changes will come into force on July 1.