PRICE increases - whether it's for bread, buses or the Big Issue - are never popular. It is often difficult to understand why costs have gone up, especially if the increase is in excess of inflation.

Rises in car parking charges are always a bone of contention. Motorists argue that they already pay enough - what with the cost of fuel and high road tax. Why should they pay even more just to park their cars?

So, it will be no surprise if Worcester City Council's decision to raise the prices at several of its car parks is greeted with a chorus of boos.

It is not just motorists that are affected, of course. Higher charges means fewer cars - and perhaps less custom for shops.

The council, however, says it has a perfectly legitimate excuse for putting up prices. They are, we are told, being raised "to encourage people to use park-and-ride". Prices are not being put up in the council's new 'red zone' car parks, which are those closest to the centre - so trade is not hit on the High Street.

It can't have escaped the council's notice, however, that by raising prices, it will also be adding a few more pounds to its own kitty.

A kitty that is already pretty swollen thanks to the incredible £3m the council raked in from car parking charges in 2003/4.

By all means, encourage people to take the bus. But would not improvements to the park-and-ride service be a better idea rather than hitting long-suffering car owners in the pocket once again?