HIGHER fines could be levied on motorists parking illegally in district-run car parks.

HIGHER fines could be levied on motorists parking illegally in district-run car parks.And EDDC could also take on enforcement of on-street parking - as long as it doesn't cost it any more.Currently vehicles that have over-stayed their ticket-time in an EDDC-run car park can purchase a £5 ticket within one hour of the expiry time.But, from May 5, this will no longer apply; and members of EDDC's executive next Wednesday will debate bringing 'off-street parking contraventions' into line with county policy for on-street parking - by raising the charging band.The May Day bank holiday will also mark the county taking over on-street parking enforcement from police, a role they, in turn, asked EDDC to take on.Mark Reilly, head of StreetScene, said: "The council has agreed to accept responsibility for on-street parking enforcement on the proviso it does not incur additional costs."The £30,000 budgeted in 2008/2009 for a new car park penalty ticket and permit system will now be predominantly met by the County Council...any surplus or deficit will either be paid back to the county council or re-invested into parking initiatives...or in the event of a deficit then DCC could be required to compensate EDDC.