Hampshire County Council to introduce on-street parking charges
Plans have been approved in a number of towns in the county.
Plans have been approved for on-street parking charges in Hampshire, including in non-retail areas and areas popular with visitors.
The plans for pay and display parking had been agreed earlier, but were put on hold due to the pandemic.
Hampshire County Council said it is hoped the charges will help manage demand, as towns become busier with lockdown restrictions easing.
The money generated is also expected to help save on Highways maintenance funding, which has been needed to fund the enforcement of current regulations.
The County Council’s Executive Member for Highways Operations Councillor Russell Oppenheimer said:
“I’ve noted that previously agreed plans were put on hold due to the pandemic. But now, as we are slowly looking towards coming out of the restrictions nationally, town centres are become much busier, creating more demand for parking spaces, it seems that it is sensible now to set a timescale for introducing charging for on-street parking.”
Hampshire County Council have said the introduction of modest charges will also help complement the district and borough council managed off-street car parks, which are also usually subject to parking charges.