PARKING in one of Glasgow's busiest street is set to become nearly THREE times more expensive, the Evening Times can reveal today.

Council bosses are to increase the price of parking for an hour in Great Western Road by more than 160%,

The rate for parking on the West End street will rocket from 30p an hour to 80p from Thursday January 2.

Currently, it costs 10p for 30 minutes parking in Great Western Road, with drivers paying 30p for an hour, 50p for 90 minutes and £1 for two hours.

Next month, this will double to 20p for 30 minutes, and 20p for every 10 minutes after.

The price of parking for two hours is set to double, and will now cost £2.

During the last financial year, city motorists paid out £8.7million in on-street parking charges.

However, Glasgow City Council today defended the increase.

A spokesman for Scotland's biggest local authority, said: "Parking charges in many areas of Glasgow have not increased for a number of years.

"These controls exist to support the city's transport network.

"They balance the need to protect residents and businesses from all-day commuter parking and maintain availability of short-term parking.

"All revenue is reinvested in Glasgow's transport network, including maintaining parking infrastructure and enforcing controls.

"Without these charges, these costs would fall to the city tax payers."

As revealed by the Evening Times, this is the latest in a series of price hikes across the city, with thousands of motorists being affected.

In September, the cost of parking in some Glasgow's streets was increased by 100%.

The latest figures reveal that on-street parking charges have generated an average daily income for Glasgow City Council of £23,826.

During the past four years, the amount of cash Glasgow City Council has earned from parking fees has steadily increased.

In 2009/2010, the council made a total of £8,317,054 and £8,345,876 the following year.

The amount increased again, to £8,522,054 in 2011/2012.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk