Parking charges look set to go up in all Wycombe District Council-owned car parks for the first time in 10 years – despite “considerable concern” about the effects it could have on a “relatively fragile High Street”.

Some charges in council car parks will go up by as much as 133 per cent – prompting concerns from one councillor who fears plans to add charges on Sundays will have a negative effect on worshippers in his town.

Princes Risborough councillor, David Knights, said: “In Princes Risborough there is considerable concern that it appears there is a new parking charge that will apply on a Sunday and that is a worry for us in terms of people using those car parks in a relatively fragile High Street and particularly the car park that relates to the church.

“People will be attending worship early on a Sunday morning and will be required to pay.”

Finance chief, Cllr David Watson, said there were “differing views” about charging for parking on Sundays, but added: “In a democracy, the majority prevails and that is what has happened.

“The increases are weighted towards longer-stay parking instead of short-stay parking.”

Meanwhile, council leader, Cllr Katrina Wood, said they are trying to “even up” the parking charges to bring them in line with other car parks - hopefully freeing up spaces taken up by commuters who head into London every day.

Cllr Julia Adey said: “There is no parking in Easton Street during the day because people park there and go to the station, so this increase will align with the station car park now.”

Cllr Wood added: “And that is to try and leave it free for shoppers and workers in the town rather than commuters.”