KEEP our free street parking please! That is the call from people in Eastleigh amid fears that the town centre's main shopping streets could become pay and display zones.

Eastleigh Council has sent out a questionnaire to residents, retailers and businesses for their opinions of parking arrangements in the town.

The results of this survey will be a key factor influencing councillors in their decision to put in place fees for the use of spaces in Eastleigh's High Street, Market Street, Blenheim Road and the bays in Leigh Road. Currently shoppers are allowed 30 minutes grace for parking in these areas.

The survey follows Eastleigh Council's introduction of the Parkwise scheme last year when they took over the responsibility from the police. David Airey, executive councillor for transport, said: "The council is working to improve the management of parking in Eastleigh town centre."

"It is also keen to ensure that its short-term parking spaces are used properly, to encourage greater use of the town centre car parks and to make it easier to find short-term parking spaces in the shopping streets."

Town centre retailers believe scrapping the kerbside free parking may put off shoppers who stop quickly to collect goods in their cars.

Colette Biggs, manager of Maddisons, a florist in Eastleigh High Street, said: "It could put people off from stopping outside and quickly popping into the shop to collect flowers."

Eastleigh shopper Jennifer Maiden said: "We pay to park in the multi-storey and the Swan Centre car parks, so the street parking should be left how it is. Especially when considering elderly people who have to come into town to use the main post office and banks rather than walk from the car parks."

Cllr Airey stressed that formal public consultation would be carried out over any proposed changes.