Isle of Man parking charge plans revealed as government tries to raise revenues

Proposals to increase parking charges in the Isle of Man have been announced by the infrastructure department.

The plans will mean a 50p increase in several Douglas car parks as well as the introduction of charges for civil servants and politicians, while school bus journeys will no longer be free.

The moves are part of the government's bid to raise £500,000 by next April.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: "Increases on this scale will not be contemplated in the years ahead."

He added: "Charging for services that have previously been free or heavily subsidised is never going to be popular.

"The department has not focused on charges in isolation when looking to meet its budget - job cuts and the streamlining of services have been by far the biggest part of this process."

The move to put parking charges up follows a public consultation which ran until the end of July.

In 2010, the island was left with a £175m hole in its budget - about a third of its projected total income - when the UK announced changes to its VAT revenue-sharing agreement with the island.

Since then about 600 government posts have been cut - 8% of all staff.

Other cost-saving measures include the introduction a pay-and-display system on Douglas Promenade, a £25 charge for residential permits, a 50p charge for school bus journeys and an increase in the eligibility age for pensioners' bus passes.

A 30-minute free parking period at the Isle of Man Airport will also be axed.

The date for the changes to be introduced has yet to be finalised.