CIVIC chiefs will today decide whether to put up car parking charges in Eastleigh from next March amid pleas from local traders not to put the viability of the town at risk.

The council's executive Cabinet is considering a number of options which include:

A freeze on charges.

Adding 10p to the 50p and 60p charges for parking up to one hour and up to two hours respectively.

Adding 20p to the £1.30 and £1.50 for up to three and up to four hours.

Putting the all-day charge up from £4 to £4.50.

Raising the quarterly permit from £150 to £175.

An increase will see the estimated income of £969,620 rise more than £1m.

But executive councillors will also be considering a letter from Charles Sims, chairman of the Town Centre Group, pointing out that it is only in recent months that the town had made a "fragile recovery" from a position where visitor numbers were declining.

In a report from finance chief Nick Tustian councillors will be told: "The commercial services manager recommends no increase in charges at this stage of the budget process due to increased competition and the economic effect on the town that higher charges may cause."

But the executive will be asked to ban quarterly permit holders from using Wells Place alongside Tesco.

Councillors will also be recommended to bring in a maximum waiting time of four hours in parts of the Southampton Road multi-storey car park.

The move is a bid to encourage short-term parking in the multi-storey and reduce the number of long-stay places provided in the town.