Isle of Wight Council charges for East Cowes' Maresfield Road

Expect to pay up to £9 per day and cash is not an option.

Parking fees start tomorrow at the Maresfield Road site, near Venture Quays.

Payment will only be accepted via the PayByPhone app, by credit or debit card, or via a phone number.

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Maresfield Road car park, East Cowes. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

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Between 8am and 6pm, it will cost somewhere between £1.70 (for one hour) and £6.20 (for up to six hours).

However, long-stay parkers, such as those who work nearby, are facing a flat £9 daily payment, for between six and ten hours parking.

In addition, there will be a cost of either £1 or £2 overnight, depending on the time of year.

Some parking permits will be valid.

Why are charges being introduced at East Cowes's Maresfield Road car park?

The charges are being introduced by the Isle of Wight Council's cabinet, after a decision earlier this year, despite opposition to the plans.

Around 80 people signed a petition when the idea was first suggested, in June.

However, the Isle of Wight Council has argued the charges will raise a vital £4,000 per year for the cash-strapped authority

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Maresfield Road car park, East Cowes. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

Maresfield Road car park, East Cowes. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

Maresfield Road car park is close to Waitrose car park, which allows a few hours for free, for its customers.

East Cowes also has a second paid-for car park, formerly free, which is now run by Red Funnel.

Islanders opposed to the new charges at Maresfield Road car park say motorists will simply park on nearby streets in a town already struggling for parking.