THE debate over Hereford parking charges looks likely to continue after plans were revealed this week to charge motorists to park more than a mile from the city centre.

Hereford Leisure Centre issued a statement this week to warn visitors that it will soon cost £1 to leave their vehicle in the car park for up to three hours while £5 would be needed for a stay of more than three hours.

The area has seen a sharp increase in traffic over the past decade with B&Q, Hobbycraft and Dunelm Mill among those that moved to Holmer Road.

And the situation looks like becoming more problematic for motorists when clothing retailer Next opens its new store opposite the Leisure Centre today (Thursday).

The new Next store, which has left its former Maylord Orchards home, has created 20 new jobs, including three managerial positions.

The decision to charge drivers using Hereford Leisure Centre’s car park from July 1 has not gone down well with users.

Tim Holt, a physiotherapist with Hereford Physiotherapy Clinic, branded the price rise ridiculous.

He said: “I thought the government wanted to help people get fit and stay healthy, not put them off.

“Charging people to park at a leisure centre will do the opposite.

“I’m a regular user of the leisure centre and I still think it’s good, but the council cashing in and stinging people who want to take care of their health is ridiculous.

“This will probably see people using the car parks of surrounding businesses to park in in future.”