FREE parking in Potters Bar is to be slashed from an hour to just 30 minutes in a cash-saving shake-up.

In the first change to parking charges in Hertsmere in several years, charges for on-street parking, council-run car parks, residents’ permits and annual visitor permits will increase.

On-street parking will now cost 20p for up to an hour after the first 30 minutes in the measures, which were approved last Wednesday.

Where a second hour of on-street parking is permitted, it will be �1.

The council has blamed the hikes on the need to make �2m savings this financial year.

A questionnaire conducted at the end of last year asked residents what changes to council services they would be more willing to accept than others.

The results found that residents would willingly bear the brunt of some changes to the cost of parking where charges were already in place.

Cllr John Donne, transport portfolio holder, said: “Residents understand that we have to increase certain charges across the borough.

“We have not raised the charges in council-run car parks for several years, and due to the tough financial times we currently find ourselves in this was something we had to consider.”

Other changes include car park charges going up from 40p to 50p for up to one hour and �1 for up to two hours in Potters Bar, Borehamwood and Bushey Heath.

And some people will now have to pay to park outside their homes, as the first residential permit, currently free, will now cost a �15 administration fee.

Charges for annual visitor parking permits will go up from �20 to �30 per permit.

Although the changes have been given the go-ahead by councillors, the changes are now up for consultation.

If given the final seal of approval, they will be implemented throughout the year.