Free car parking SCRAPPED in £500,000 move impacting thousands of drivers despite ‘overwhelming opposition’
FREE parking in a city's car parks is set to be scrapped in a move that will impact thousands of drivers.
Southampton City Council plans to end two hour's free parking at 17 car parks in Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley and Woolston.
The charging period will also be extended from Monday to Saturday 8am - 6pm to Monday to Sunday 8am – 8pm.
New rates of 50p per hour for one hour and £1 for two hours would replace the current two-hour free option.
The amended tariff will take effect and the changes will be implemented on April 1.
The council said the move would raise more than £500,000.
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Southampton City Council added that officers will monitor and review the impacts of the changes between April and September.
A cabinet meeting on Tuesday night approved the changes to tariffs and charging hours.
The BBC reported on how about the impact the measures would have on footfall.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "We have listened to the consultation and have reduced the period for charging from midnight to 8pm.
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"We will be working with local schools close to the district centres to ensure drop off and pick up is not adversely impacted.
";This additional income does support our spending on home to school transport which has increased significantly in recent years, concessionary bus fares and the upgrade and maintenance of our highway network.
"I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and gave us their feedback.
"We appreciate the strength of feeling of residents and as a result of the comments received have made adjustments to the proposed tariffs.
"We will monitor usage over the coming months and review the tariffs if required."