PARKING fines in the Cotswolds rose yesterday following Gloucestershire County Council's decision to introduce a new two-tier banding system.

It means that the former £60 illegal parking fine has been replaced by a higher and lower penalty charge of £70 and £50, both of which are halved if paid within 14 days.

Cotswold District Council is responsible for enforcing parking regulations and Stow district councillor David Penman explained to members of Stow Town Council how the new system would work.

He said the new fines would mean that motorists parking in CDC car parks, such as the Maugersbury Road car park in Stow, who were not displaying a valid ticket, not parking within their space or exceeding their time-limit would face a £50 fine.

Motorists parking in a disabled bay, double yellow lines or single yellow lines within restricted times would be fined £70