TWO Southampton car parks are set to be turned into a new bus hub and park as part of an almost £3m scheme.

On Monday, civic chiefs approved plans to close Albion Place and Castle Way car parks for the proposals which are expected to cost £2.7m.

Funded mostly by the government’s Transporting Cities fund, the project is set to see ten new bus stops at the site compared to the current six whilst Castle Way will become a new green space.

Presenting the proposals at a cabinet meeting, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for growth, Cllr Jeremy Moulton said “Southampton is a disjointed city centre and this will help bring it together”.

He explained that although “it is a difficult decision in that it is a popular and well used car park” the authority has “taken time to look at it very carefully”.

Daily Echo: The proposed layout for the new bus hub and open space at Albion Place / Castle Way car parks in Southampton. Photo from: Southampton City Council. The proposed layout for the new bus hub and open space at Albion Place / Castle Way car parks in Southampton. Photo from: Southampton City Council.

Despite this though, some raised concerns about the loss of the car parks which would see almost 130 parking spaces disappear.

Cllr Moulton added that the area is a “great site for a park” and “was always originally envisaged to be a park when Westquay was built, providing proper connectivity from Westquay to the old town.

“The site is obviously where the old town castle was so there’s a huge amount of history here which it’s important that we celebrate and recognise.

“The loss of the car park will be an inconvenience to some though I would point out there are a number of car parks in the immediate vicinity.”

But speaking at the meeting, Elliott Penn, treasurer at Southampton Masonic Hall, based next to Albion Place car park, said the project is “likely to bring to an end 140 years of continuous use of this building”.

“We are disappointed that despite being the only building in Albion Place, council officials made no effort to advise us of their plans until publishing them in the Echo on the 23rd of February last year”, Mr Penn said.

Civic chiefs approved the plans.

Cllr Moulton added: “In terms of the Masonic hall, we have had a number of discussions with them.

“What we have offered to them is a layby as part of the new design to help facilitate their members dropping things up and we are open to the idea of discussing a permit scheme for them.”

Labour and Bargate ward councillor, Cllr John Noon added that he fully supports the scheme adding that it will “enhance the shopping experience”.