NEW parking charges come into force in Brighton and Hove today.

Drivers will see changes to on-street paid parking and council-run car parking charges and operating times at locations across the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council say the changes have been introduced to “improve air quality in the city, encourage more active and sustainable travel, and reach our goal of being a carbon neutral city by 2030".

The changes mean it will cost more to park in many areas of the city and a number will have parking operating times extended.

Parking charges at car parks in Trafalgar Street, The Lanes, Regency Square and London Road will be increasing by an average of 15%.

Charges at other council run car parks will increase by an average of 10%.

The council has also brought in an increase to the hours of the King Alfred and Black Rock car parks from finishing at 6pm to 8pm, to “make them consistent with on-street hours of restrictions.”

On street and seafront on-street paid marking machines on low, medium and high tariffs will increase by an average of 9.5%.

There will also be an increase in the small amount of 9am to 6pm parking to 9am to 8pm “so there is consistency across the city,” a spokesman said.

The council say any surplus money generated by the changes to parking charges, after direct costs, will be invested back into the local transport network.

A spokesman said: “This includes paying for concessionary bus passes for older and disabled people, subsidising some less popular bus routes, some environmental improvements and producing and implementing the council’s local transport plan.”