New Forest traders welcome the decision to freeze car park charges for the fourth straight year

The district council has ruled that the fees should continue to be pegged in a bid to boost tourism and benefit businesses.

The Tory-controlled authority operates 51 car parks with a total of 6,000 spaces.

Motorists can buy an annual permit, known as a parking clock, which costs £20 for short-stay car parks and £100 for long-stay facilities. Alternatively they can purchase a ticket every time they park with pay-and-display charges varying across the district.

Cllr Paul Vickers, Cabinet member for planning and transport, has ruled that no increase should be imposed next year.

He said: “The existing charging structure is competitive with neighbouring authorities and the clock scheme represents extremely good value.

“The short-stay clock provides parking for up to three hours in any town or village car park at a cost of less than 40 pence per week with a long-stay clock providing for long stay parking at a cost of under £2 a week.

Cllr Paul Vickers

“The council has always been an advocate of proportionate parking charges in order to benefit businesses, residents and encourage tourism. It is therefore appropriate that in the current economic climate the council is again able to freeze car parking charges.”

Peter Leyland-Jones, president of Lymington Chamber of Commerce, said: “We welcome this move, which will encourage people to continue to shop locally.”

Liberal Democrats have vowed to give locals a free parking pass and increase charges for visitors if they gain control of the council at next year’s local elections.

Cllr David Harrison, former leader of the Lib Dem group, said; “People will see through the Tory plan to freeze charges in an election year. Only Liberal Democrats are offering something for local people that will benefit local retailers and other businesses.”

Cllr David Harrison