Drivers parking at Huntingdonshire District Council-run car parks in St Neots, St Ives, Huntingdon and Godmanchester will be affected by the hotly disputed move which starts on Wednesday (October 1).
As well as a hike in existing prices, council bosses have also agreed to put an end to free long stay parking at Riverside, Huntingdon and Bridge Place, Godmanchester.

Mill Common and Tan Yard, St Neots, will both change from long stay to short stay although free long stay parking continues at Riverside.
However, motorists who prefer to pay by plastic rather than coins will be able to use their credit or debit cards to buy tickets at Riverside and Bridge Place, Huntingdon, thanks to the installation of new machines.
A district council spokesman said: "New signs will be put up in all the car parks affected because some of them will change their status in terms of the lengths of stay and whether season tickets or residents permits may be used.

"The review of parking charges has taken a tailored approach for each town, for example addressing a need in Huntingdon for additional weekday parking and meeting market day demand in St Neots."
The new charges at district council-run car parks are as follows: Short stay - 50p up to one hour, £1 up to 2 hours, £2 up to three hours and £3 up to four hours.

Long stay - 50p up to one hour, £1 up to two hours, £1.20 up to three hours, £1.50 up to four hours and £2 for up to 23 hours.
Different charges apply to the Riverside, Huntingdon - (short stay section only) - 20p up to one hour and 40p up to two hours.
Also at Riverside, Huntingdon - (long stay section only) and Bridge Place, Godmanchester charges will be: 20p up to one hour, 40p up to two hours, 60p up to three hours, 80p up to four hours, £1.50 in excess of four hours up to 10 hours.

On Mondays to Fridays for any period in excess of 10 hours up to 23 hours the charge is £4.80. On Saturdays, the charge is £1.50 for periods in excess of four hours up to 23 hours.
Car parks the council run include Priory Lane, Brook Street and Tan Yard, St Neots; Cattle Market, St Ives, and Princes Street, Trinity Place and Mill Common in Huntingdon.

Objections to the rises have been raised by the Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Small Businesses and Huntingdon Town Partnerships.
Cabinet member for finance at Huntingdon District Council Cllr Terry Rogers said: "The whole purpose is to encourage a very quick turnover of the car parks."
The changes are allowing people with low emission vehicles reduced rates on season tickets or residents' only permits. Visit: www.hunts dc.gov.uk or call 01480 388388.