Shoppers and motorists in Oxford are bracing themselves for a 15 per cent increase in city centre car parking charges from July.

The city council has agreed to press ahead with the first price increases at its five car parks since 2001.

The increases, which affect the Westgate, Worcester Street, Oxpens, Abbey Place and Gloucester Green underground car parks, will bring in about £536,000 a year, but the move is not a money-making ploy, according to the man in charge of overseeing the operation.

Graham Smith, the city council's business manager for transport and parking, said: "We haven't put charges up since 2001 and we used to do it every year.

"Obviously we hope it will make money, but you're not talking big bucks here.

"It's all very well putting up charges, but if people don't come in then it makes a loss.

"We used to be the highest locally, but our charges represent very good value for money -- particularly in the evening."

The move from the Labour-run Town Hall could not be in starker contrast to the mood at County Hall, where a new Conservative administration has vowed to help motorists.

Later this year, the Tory-run executive plans to launch a pilot scheme allowing motorists free on-street parking after 6pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays -- a move likely to cost about £1,000 a day in lost revenue.

The current £1.50 evening charge will be waived at more than 600 city centre spaces. Charges will also be scrapped at the Water Eaton and Thornhill park-and-rides.