The days of free parking in Bath's biggest park could be numbered.

Parking charges were introduced in part of Royal Victoria Park in 2001, but there remain around 120 spaces which are free all day.

In a city where residents' parking schemes have virtually eliminated free on-street parking for commuters, those spaces remain one of the last refuges for drivers keen to save cash.

A Bath and North East Somerset Council report suggests that charges could be introduced in the financial year 2011/12 – once existing park and ride sites have been expanded.

The move could bring in £200,000 profit a year, the report says.

The council report suggests charges might be around £7 a day.

The park has undergone a major restoration programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund – a condition of which was that action should be taken to discourage all-day parking along roads such as Royal Avenue.

There is now a four-hour waiting limit and charges in the stretch of Royal Avenue nearest to the city centre.

As well as bringing in those charges, the council has limited the length of time people can park in some areas.

A council spokesman said the suggestion would not be implemented until progress had been made on the authority's controversial plans to extend park and ride sites at Newbridge, Lansdown and Odd Down and create a new site at Bathampton.

"This will provide a reason not to park in Royal Victoria Park," he said.

As well as the slots where people have to pay in Royal Avenue, there are also free limited waiting spaces near the play area and the Botanical Gardens.