Shoppers will now pay to park in a town centre as charges have been introduced today.

There will be free parking for one hour in eight short-stay car parks in Rickmansworth - with a small charge of only £1.00 to park for a second hour.

Three Rivers District Council says this new service will support local business and especially local retail services by making it easier for their customers to find parking in these short-stay car parks.

These car parks are intended to make parking easy for people who want to visit the town to shop, or use the many vibrant local facilities, and the introduction of a charge is expected to encourage turnover of vehicles, freeing up more of over 300 parking spaces dedicated to short-stay visitors in Rickmansworth.

In addition to the one hour of free parking and the £1.00 for a second hour, visitors who need to park for longer in Rickmansworth will now also be able to pay to park for longer in these short-stay car parks (charges at £2.50 for three hours and £4.00 for four hours).

The new parking payment mechanisms will also not accept the use of cash but will accept payment cards.

The car parks include:

• Northway multi-storey Car Park, Upper and Lower decks

• Three Rivers House Rose Garden Car Park

• Three Rivers House Staff Car Park Upper and Lower decks (Saturdays only)

• Talbot Road Car Park 'A' (West of 9 Talbot Road)

• Bury Lane Car Park (ten spaces)

• Ebury Road Car Park