FALLING foul of parking laws in South Gloucestershire will now cost more.

The charge for violating off-street parking regulations has been increased to £50, although offenders will only have to pay £30 if payment is made within seven days.

The decision, taken by executive member for community services Cllr Shirley Potts, is said to be part of a review of the whole charging structure for parking offences. It follows the news that South Gloucestershire's 11 traffic wardens are to be replaced by civilian police support officers under re-organisation plans being drawn up by Avon and Somerset Police.

The extra charges from the council, however, deal only with parking breaches in council-owned, off street car parks. The rise is said to ensure the costs of enforcement patrols are met.

Cllr Potts also said the rise would allow for investment in "providing an efficient programme aimed at responsible use of the council's public car parking facilities, whilst ensuring that the cost of enforcement is borne mainly or wholly by those who transgress the regulations".

The current off street parking order - £30 for a violation and £15 if that is paid within a week - was drawn up in 1998.

The council argues that while the underlying inflation rate has risen by 11.5 percent, no previous rises in charges have been made.