COUNCIL chiefs have forced two cheap car parks to close.

Private firm Total Parking Solutions had been charging motorists £3.50 a day on land earmarked for development.

The company has been given until Monday to shut them after planning permission was turned down.

Now nurses and other drivers will have to pay at least £8 per day – and up to £16 – to park in Southampton city centre.

Drivers described the decision as “ridiculous” and “stupid”.

Council bosses last night denied they were trying to “stifle competition”.

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