Controversial plans to scrap free parking at  car parks have been branded as “an attack on the motorist” by a councillor.

Southampton City Council is carrying a 21-day consultation for a statutory Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to bring new tariffs for a selection of busy car parks in Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley and Woolston.

Currently drivers can park for two hours for free but need to pay to stay any longer.

The new charges cut all free parking while also introducing evening and Sunday charges.

 

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Millbrook ward member Jeremy Moulton said that free parking existed to protect district shopping centres and the jobs they provide.

He said: “I think it’s another attack on the motorist.

“It looks like that is being sacrificed now, and motorists are having to pay the price as the council teeter on the edge of bankruptcy.

“It was previously free for five hours, then two, so it has been slowly chipped away at.”

The council argue that the new tariff would help to manage demand and increase the number of visitors due to encouraging people to use alternative forms of travel.

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Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for transport, said: “In our proposal, we have kept the tariffs at a competitive rate in line with the city centre and other local towns.

“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.

“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”.

A season ticket offer for long-term parkers would be offered, with a six-month pass costing £340 and an annual one costing £650.

Affected car parks include Angel Crescent, Peartree Gardens, Lances Hill, Whites Road, West End Road, Commercial Street, Marlborough Road North, Marlborough Road South, Howards Grove, Cannon Street, Bright Glade, Oakband Road, Colonnades, Woodley Road, Portsmouth Road and Westridge Road.

One hour would cost 50p, two hours would cost £1, three hours would cost £1.50, four hours would cost £2.50, five hours would cost £4, ten hours would cost £6 and all-day access would set a motorist back £8.