Car parking charges are to increase within weeks – although councillors have vowed not to consider further hikes until 2014.

The Norwich Highways Agency Committee agreed on-street parking will increase from 40p to 50p for 15 minutes in the city council's so-called 'core zone' of St Giles, Castle and Cathedral areas.

The original recommendation was 45p.

In the council's 'secondary zone', which includes St Augustine, St Paul, St Mary, St Clement, St Julian, St John and St Peter sub zones, it will increase from 25p for 15 minutes to 30p for 15 minutes.

Increases in the council's 14 off-street car parks, which last went up in November last year, differ. In Chantry, St Giles, Chapelfield East and Pottergate, the hourly rate will go up from �1.50 to �1.60, while in St Andrews, it will increase from �1.40 an hour to �1.50 an hour.

At Barn Road, Magdalen Street and St Crispins, the increase is from �1.10 an hour to �1.20 an hour, while drivers will pay �1.30 an hour, rather than �1.20 an hour, to park in Colegate, Queens Road and Rouen Road.

Maximum stay rates will also increase from �5.50 at St Andrews to �5.70 and �12 to �15 at St Giles.

These changes will come into force from November 19 but the committee agreed not to examine the prices again for 18 months.