HUDDERSFIELD'S Market Hall car park is set to switch to the 'pay on leaving' system.
Kirklees councillors are set to recommend switching the car park to the system when they meet next week.
But it could take up to October for the system to be up and running.
However, the move has delighted retailers in the town centre, who have been campaigning for the scheme for at least 10 years.
It will mean an end to shoppers having to rush back to their cars to avoid a parking fine.
It follows the success of a similar scheme at the Kingsgate Centre, where shoppers pay for the length of time they have parked, rather than estimating how long they need.
Tony Coletta, of the Huddersfield Town Centre Association, said: "We are delighted.
"It looks like it is coming to fruition after many years of campaigning.
"We listen to our customers and they tell us their big worry is getting back to the car and finding a parking ticket.
"Now they can relax and spend more time shopping in the town centre.
"Hopefully it will be followed by other schemes as we continue to work with the council's Highways Service".
The scheme will come at a price.
Drivers who now pay 70p an hour will pay 80p.
Kirklees said the new scheme would cost £200,000 to set up.
There will have to be new barriers installed at the 588-space car park off Alfred Street, a control room to monitor the service and a new ramp between Levels 4 and 5.
A council spokesman said: "The town centre association says this is the single most important issue that their customers face when shopping in Huddersfield.
"Shoppers will no longer have to estimate their expected length of stay.
"This can encourage greater shopping activity in the town."
* A Dewsbury councillor is asking for a review of parking charges in the town.
Clr Khizar Iqbal is worried that current charges in Dewsbury are hitting shops and other businesses.
He wants council officials to look at other ways of dealing with car parking.
