Drivers may soon need to pay to use these 10 Hampshire countryside car parks
The County Council has claimed it could make £65,000 a year
Last updated 19th Jan 2024
Drivers could soon have to pay to use 10 countryside car parks in Hampshire as the county council looks to raise more money.
Hampshire County Council, which has more than 100 rural car parks, said £65,000 a year could be raised by bringing in the charges.
The council currently charges for car parking at its country park sites and Reading Road in Fleet, but it doesn’t charge at other rural locations.
While it hasn’t revealed how much it would charge, it said fees could be similar to those charged by borough and district councils.
It gave an example of how much New Forest District Council charges at its coastal car parks, which is £3 for two hours, £4 for four hours, £5.50 for six hours and £7 for up to 20 hours.
If the charges are brought in, possibly by April 2025, “short-term” users like dog walkers could be able to take advantage of free parking for an hour.
After an hour, fees will be charged to dissuade longer stays, such as parking for commuting purposes.
As part of the savings plan, currently under its second public consultation stage, the following 10 sites are proposed:
- A354 Martin Down
- Abbots Well Road, Frogham
- Crab Wood, Sarum Road, Winchester
- Danebury Iron Age Hillfort (lower)
- Danebury Iron Age Hillfort (upper)
- Fort Nelson Overflow
- Hook Barn, Hook Park Road, Warsash
- Hyde School, Hyde
- Wall Lane, Silchester
- Westwood, Netley Abbey
The council said that, initially, it would look at the 10 car parks because they have 20 or more spaces and could generate the most income.
In addition, there may be some car parks with fewer than 20 spaces or those that are jointly owned by the council and other organisations, where car parking charges would be commercially viable.
The move is part of the county council’s plan to make £132 million worth of savings from April 2025 and public consultation is open until March 31.