Motorists have reacted with anger to a proposed sharp rise in parking in a central car park.

Swindon Borough Council took ownership of the Bristol Street car park from Network Rail.

But it now wants to increase the charges for using the site to “bring the tariff in line with the charges that apply in other long-stay car parks".

This will see a big hikes in prices. To park for an hour costs £1 and would be £1.20, a two to four-hour stay costs £2, which would rise to £2.40 for two hours, and £4.80 for four hours.

A 24-hour stay costs £3.50 at the moment. The new proposals would see anyone parking for longer than six hours paying £8.80 – a 151 per cent increase.

The weekend rate would be significantly cheaper for short stays, but pricier for longer stays, with a possibility of free parking on Sunday.

A consultation on the new charges drew angry responses from users.

Thomas Craigie said: “This is an important car park used by commuters as an alternative to the expensive rail station.

"The council will be hitting commuters and local office workers hard, leading to a reduction in use and people seeking alternative sites.

"I cannot see any justification for increasing the prices and suggest the rates remain at the present rate.”

Derek Richards added: “This should not be considered a town centre car park for charging purposes.

"It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Bristol Street Car park to the centre of Swindon.

"It takes 11 mins to walk from Old Town to the same spot yet the Old Town car parks are not considered town centre car parks for charging.

“This is a workers’ long-stay car park for retail and office staff in town.

"These people are the lifeblood of the centre working and spending money there.

"And this car park is used by train commuters who normally need to park for at least eight hours. The proposed charges for this car park are unreasonable.”

Another outraged motorist is Tracy Rose. She said: “This is an extortionate.

"This is pricing rail travellers out who are already struggling with rising fares.

"It’s nothing more than daylight robbery to cover a very small number of people who might use free Sunday parking – ridiculous!”

The proposal will be discussed by members of the council’s Conservative cabinet next Wednesday.