A TOP official from Liverpool Council’s regeneration agency last night described the authority’s proposal to increase parking charges from 6pm to 8pm as an “own goal”.

Mike Taylor, director of investment at Liverpool Vision, told the city council’s inquiry into parking charges that the city needed to come up with “innovative ways to encourage people into the city, instead of subtle ways of discouraging them”.

After the meeting, he said the proposal to extend charging from 6pm to 8pm can been an “own goal” when trying to compete with Manchester to attract shoppers and visitors.

It came as the council’s parking panel heard evidence from business leaders opposed to the proposed increase in charges.

The Liberal Democrat authority agreed to set up the panel after its proposal to raise £60,000 after a massive outcry.

Mr Taylor said: “Liverpool Vision does not have a policy on parking. But the collective view of our stakeholders is that the increase in parking hours would have a negative impact on the economy.

“We are in catch-up mode with Manchester, and we should be looking at how to move ahead of Manchester.”

He suggested that the council could raise the £60,000 by increasing charging prices between 8am and 6pm, instead of extending the hours of charging.