MORE than 50 people packed into an inquiry staged in an effort to improve parking for residents in Southampton.

The inquiry was held to review whether current residential parking schemes were working or if new controlled zones could be introduced in other areas.

People spoke out about the growing problem of excessive commuter traffic, which was said to be using up the car parking space in residential streets.

Southampton General Hospital, Ordnance Survey (OS) and Southampton University were the employers singled out for most criticism for not providing adequate on-site parking. They all declined to attend the inquiry, the meeting was told.

The inquiry heard from Laundry Road resident Shawn Taylor who said: "The problem is getting worse since they started charging £20 for staff to park at the hospital. They simply park on the surrounding streets."

Speaking out about the problem in roads surrounding the OS offices, resident Ian Page said: "The sheer number of cars makes it very difficult for residents to emerge on to Romsey Road and I know there have been several accidents there."

However, the inquiry also heard from residents who lived with controlled parking zones. Portland Road residents said at weekends and evenings it was impossible to find parking along the street.

Polygon residents and those living in the Golden Grove area of St Mary's also branded some of the parking restrictions as "unworkable" given the number of locals with cars.

Other issues raised at the inquiry held at the Civic Centre yesterday included a move by the council to plough £750,000 into converting grass verges into parking spaces.

Weston resident Derek Smith called for a grassed area along Burghclere Road to be converted into a car park to stop the threat of flooding due to poor drainage.

The comments made by the audience and Cabinet member for environment and transport Jill Baston, who also answered questions from a scrutiny panel, will be compiled into a report to be presented in May.

Panel chairman Councillor Richard Williams said it was the intention to produce changes reflecting concerns raised.