HOURLY rates are being introduced as Merton Meadow car park, but the £5 daily charge will still be available.

Herefordshire Council is introducing the £1 per hour tariff at the car park in Hereford from February 27 but the £5 charge for 24 hours will remain, as will the £4 charge per 24 hours if bought before 8am.

Commuters to Merton Meadow who purchase a new weekly (Monday to Friday) tariff on a Monday will see the cost reduced to £20 for five days.

The current Sunday tariff of £3 all day will remain, with the introduction of an hourly Sunday tariff.

The daily tariff at St Martins 2 overflow car park (behind the Hereford Leisure Centre) is being reduced to £3 from £5.

And drivers who buy an off peak season ticket for council car parks in the city will see the cost fall to £75 a year or £25 a quarter, with the off peak parking time extended for use from 5pm to 9am.

The current price is a £150 annual cost and £40 quarterly cost with the times between 6pm and 8am.

Paul Rone, cabinet member for transport and roads, said: "Herefordshire Council believes the introduction of these new tariffs, and the opportunity to pay by card, contactless and by phone, enable greater flexibility and ease for residents, commuters and visitors to the county.

"We have listened to residents’ comments and have reduced the off peak season ticket cost and extended the off peak parking times."