Reversing the cost of parking charges in St Albans could cost taxpayers £1.6 million.

St Albans District Council was told the financial implications of reversing parts of the new parking fee changes that were introduced in April.

The changes included rebranding car parks as "Commuter and Workers Car Parks" for long-stay parking, "Shoppers and Leisure Car Parks" for short-stay parking; and "Mixed Use" car parks.

Price points were set to encourage use by the intended groups in order to fill underused and harder to find car parks. Some prices were increased, while others were decreased.

Councillor Beric Read, the council’s portfolio holder for community engagement and localism, said: "Car park usage is up over 5 percent, year on year, since the changes. We will lose this, with the cars presumably going back onto residential streets. We will also not be in a position to solve other parking issues addressed in our parking strategy.

"Currently, anyone looking to park for three hours or less can find spaces in our car parks at the same price, or lower, than last year. Those wishing to park for six hours of more can do so for significantly less cost than last year. "We will need to take this back to the supporters of the price reductions to see how they want to pay for them. £1.6M is the equivalent of a 16 percent increase in district council tax".

Cabinet has referred the matter to a working group that is looking at the detail of the 2015/16 budget.