Parking charges across the country could be set to rise by as much as 10 per cent as councils look to increase revenue.

It is understood that local authorities will increase prices across England and Wales, with the AA warning charges could be hiked by double digit percentages come April.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA said: "Residents could soon 'vote with their wheels' and decide it's easier, maybe even cheaper, to avoid the town centre altogether and shop online.

"Maybe worse for those councils with rising charges, they may choose to drive to the neighbouring town or city and spend their hard-earned money there.”

Slough Observer:

While Hugh Bladon, of the Alliance of British Drivers, told MailOnline: "Councillors just cannot seem to get it into their heads that if they make it more difficult and expensive for people to drive to their town and city centres then they will kill off business there.

"It is so short-sighted because it means more boarded-up shops and less income from business rates in the long term.

“I know councils are short of money, but why are motorists always the first target when they need cash? They should focus on getting rid of all the non-jobs in their offices."

A spokesman for the Local Government Association, an organisation which represents more than 350 councils across England and Wales, said councils were facing “significant challenges” and “difficult decisions”.

They said: “The cost of providing public services has dramatically increased with rapidly rising inflation.

“Many councils face significant challenges and difficult decisions when setting their budgets and trying to protect services from cutbacks next year."