A proposal put forward by Monmouthshire County Council means motorists across the county can expect an increase in car parking charges.
In an bid to balance next year's budget Monmouthshire County Council has proposed an increase for car parking charges by 10 per cent.
The idea proposed is to help balance the pressure of £414, 000 in regeneration, environment and resources faced by the council.
During a recent meeting of the Cabinet, county councillor Eric Saxon, member for county operations said, "This is a controversial sounding proposal and the last thing we want to do is make life harder for people during these difficult times."
He added that they have listened to comments from traders and members of the public and they are considering changing the timings of charging.
Meaning, if the proposal goes ahead, the lowest charge in short term car parks could be 80p for two hours. A half hour charge could also be introduced and then 50p per hour thereafter.
Speaking after the meeting councillor Saxon said, "It is one of the proposals put forward to make us balance, but no details have be made on it yet.
"The income on car parks is dropping, so the idea is to encourage people to use the car park by introducing an hour's car parking charge of 50p for the first hour.
"At the end of the day the savings that we and other Welsh councils have been faced with are biting quite deep now."
Councillor Saxon stresses that it is a consultation period and no details have been finalised as yet, but it is a process to "keep our heads above water."
He added that there has been discussions with other council members, not cabinet members, who have put forward their own ideas but they will not get discussed until January.