A NEW scheme will see an hour’s free parking introduced across Wychavon car parks within a matter of weeks.

At Wednesday's meeting of Wychavon District Council, councillors approved plans to give an hour's free parking for anyone buying two hours worth of parking in short stay car parks in Evesham, Droitwich and Pershore.

In Broadway, anyone buying three hours of parking will get a fourth hour free.

The changes will be introduced before the start of the August Bank Holiday on Monday, August 31.

A trial to test the use of payment by mobile phone technology will also take place in the near future.

The measures are being introduced following recommendations by councillors on the Strategic Car Park Review Working Group.

Councillors also confirmed parking charges will remain frozen for the next four years and ruled out introducing charges for evenings and on Sundays.

Cllr Richard Morris, portfolio holder for economy and housing on the council, said: “We want to make it easier for the residents of Wychavon to use our car parks by making them more accessible and therefore support the regeneration of our towns and communities.

“The use of mobile phone technology will support that aim while the introduction of an hour’s free parking will encourage people to spend more time in our towns to support our high streets and traders and enjoy our wonderful area. We will also continually assess improvements to our parking infrastructure as new technology develops.”