FREIGHT bosses are fighting plans to axe a Totton lorry park as part of a multi-million-pound scheme to transform the town centre.

New Forest District Council says the lorry park dominates the junction of Rumbridge Street and the A35, spoiling an important gateway to the town.

But its closure is set to be opposed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which says alternative facilities for truckers are too far away.

An FTA spokesman said longer journey times would put extra pressure on drivers struggling to comply with new regulations governing their working hours.

The association is expected to lodge a formal objection when plans to shut the lorry park are advertised early next year.

Its opposition is revealed in a council report that outlines the benefits of giving the southern end of Rumbridge Street a major facelift.

"Lorry parking gives an extremely poor impression of the town and replacing it with high-quality landscaping will be a priority," says the report.

"Some of the landscaping could be carried out with the lorry park open but most is dependent on its closure.

"It's therefore vital that procedures are set in train as soon as possible."

The report confirms that the facility is well used and attracts seven or eight lorries a night.

"Closing it will clearly result in users having to make alternative arrangements.

"There are a number of parking places available in the Totton and Waterside area, but they lack facilities.

"Most important for long-distance hauliers are the lorry parks at Ower, Rownhams, Burley and Winchester - all of which have spare capacity."

The proposed closure of the lorry park is part of a long-awaited plan to enhance the town centre.

Other plans include a new town square and a link road connecting Salisbury Road with a roundabout at the junction of Ringwood Road and Maynard Road.