FREE evening parking across the city could be scrapped - just over a year after being introduced.  

The scheme was brought in to boost footfall for struggling businesses in the wake of the pandemic.  

Since June last year, motorists have been able to park for free Monday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight and from 12pm to 6pm on Sundays. The offer was also valid in off-street car parks.

However, as the city recovers from the impact of the pandemic, the perk could end.

Southampton City Council has announced its intention to bring back parking charges to “control demand to ensure that parking bays are not monopolised by any one user or group of users”. 

A consultation has been launched to gather views from residents before a decision is taken.

Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration, Cllr Eamonn Keogh, said: "As a Council, we are committed to making however you choose to get around the city safer and more accessible.

"There is currently no evidence to suggest that free evening parking charges have either directly resulted in growing the local economy or made parking more accessible.  

"At the time, consultation results also showed a majority being against the decision made by the previous administration.  

"Since we have seen those wanting and needing to park finding it harder and there has been a greater desire towards more affordable public transport instead.  

"Therefore, as a new administration, we believe it is right and fitting to review the decision on parking charges and will make a decision after the consultation is complete. 

"We are also investing in making bus travel cheaper, so family and friends can travel and visit our great city centre." 

The council is proposing the following evening charges: 

  • On Street Charging Period 6pm to 8pm - £0.50 per 30 minutes 
  • Off Street Charging Period 6pm to midnight - £1 for the first hour, £2 for stays longer than an hour 

The local authority says its intention to end free parking follows a review of councils in areas such as Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Brighton and Basingstoke. 

It also says that due to "increasing demand" over the last year, “the time is now right to reintroduce evening parking charges so that parking demand and spaces can be managed”. 

But Cllr Jeremy Moulton, who helped introduce the scheme, says now is the "worst possible time" to scrap free parking.

He said: "It's disappointing to see the new council get rid of the free parking so quickly after being elected.

"It was introduced to ease problems for residents and shop owners and scrapping it now is premature and will only hurt businesses and people wanting to spend in the city."

A 21-day consultation is underway. 

To share your views, visit Connecting Southampton. 

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