A major city has launched a consultation on new parking charges which will see free parking axed as drivers will have to pay for all parking durations, rather than the two hours of free parking they currently receive.
Southampton City Council explained that the new tariffs will help manage vehicle demand in the city and increase visitor turnover while encouraging alternative forms of travel moving away from cars.
The charges will also help cover operational costs, including pothole repairs and bay maintenance in the affected car parks in Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley and Woolston.
The new charges will operate from 8am to midnight, seven days a week, including evenings and Sundays which previously had no charges.
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Parking charges will start from 50p under the new scheme
GETTY/SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
This marks a significant change from the existing arrangement where most locations gave drivers the benefit of some free parking and cheaper rates.
Under the new system, motorists will need to pay from the first hour of parking, starting at 50p, at all district centre car parks, including popular locations such as Angel Crescent, Peartree Gardens and Colonnades.
The council’s proposal includes standardised rates across most district car parks, though some locations will have shorter maximum stay periods.
Most car parks will charge £1 for two hours, £1.50 for three hours, and £2.50 for four hours of parking. Five-hour stays will cost £4, while ten hours will be charged at £6. But the maximum all-day rate at most locations will be £8.
Some smaller car parks, including Bright Glade, Woodley Road and West End Road, will only offer shorter stay options with charges of up to £1 for two hours.
The council will also introduce season ticket options for regular car park users. A six-month season ticket will be available for £340. An annual season ticket will cost £650 and will be available for all users across the district centre car parks.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh said: “In our proposal, we have kept the tariffs at a competitive rate in line with the city centre and other local towns.”
Residents have been advised they can access transport information through the Breeze travel app, which covers the whole city.
Before the parking charges officially come in, the council has begun a consultation period which launches today and will run for 21 days. Following the consultation closure, the council will review all feedback received. A final decision on implementing the new parking charges will be made by the Cabinet.
Keogh added: “The extra funding that we receive from the new tariffs will be used to maintain our car parks and can be reinvested into public transport and highways.
“We are also making strides in improving Southampton’s public transport, with a new bus service for Hill Lane coming soon and more frequent bus services in Bitterne and bus and train services in Woolston.”
However, the move has been met with fury by residents with one local stating: “You’re out of your mind. I’d understand it if there were a genuine capacity issue. But having to pay for parking to go into the shops in Bitterne just means I won’t go into the shops in Bitterne anymore.”
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Parking changes would come into effect after the 21 day consultation
GETTY
Another person said: “Motorists once again are the go-to cash cow. This move will damage local businesses as people will choose to go where there is free parking. Interesting to note that Basingstoke introduce some free parking in the town centre to great effect.”
