A Norfolk council has defended plans to hike car park charges at some of the county's busiest beaches and seaside towns amid fears it will harm tourism.
North Norfolk District Council is putting up fees at places like Cromer, Sheringham and Wells-next-the-Sea to generate more than £150,000 in extra income.
Before agreeing the changes at a meeting this week, more than half the people responding to a survey about the plans said they worried it would put people off visiting and harm local businesses.
But Lucy Shires, cabinet member for finance at the Liberal Democrat-controlled authority, said the increases were fair and will help support maintaining other facilities, such as Cromer Pier and public toilets.
She said: "It is reasonable that those who use and benefit from our tourist infrastructure contribute towards its upkeep. This was not about penalising visitors. It's about ensuring sustainability.
"At the same time, we remain mindful that tourism underpins many local livelihoods and our pricing remains extremely competitive with neighbouring authorities and comparable coastal destinations.
"This order seeks to strike that balance, supporting tourism whilst protecting local taxpayers and ensuring that our car parks remain safe, maintained, and financially sustainable."
The new fees will mean hourly charges in some car parks on the coast would rise from £2.10 to £2.20 an hour.
While beaches and seaside towns will be more expensive to park at, inland market towns like Fakenham and Stalham will not see any parking increases.
The council said it did not want to raise them there because it could put people off visiting the high streets.
The changes will affect the following car parks:
This will impact the following car parks:
- Cromer: Runton Road
- East Runton: Beach Road
- Happisburgh: Cart Gap
- Bacton: Coast Road
- Overstrand: Pauls Lane
- Sea Palling: Clink Road
- Sheringham: East Cliff and Chequers
- Wells: Stearmans Yard
- Weybourne: Beach Road
