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Southampton City Council Press Releases
Southampton City Council gives parking the green light
01/03/2012
Southampton City Council is bringing in more parking initiatives to make it easier and cheaper for residents and visitors in the city.
Following several years of parking charge freezes and reductions across its car parks, the council is now introducing the following:
- A 10 minute free charging period for anyone parking on street areas in the city centre where there are currently pay and display metres. This will make parking free for anyone planning on a quick visit to the city centre.
- Extending free on-street parking on Sundays by a further hour. Currently there is free on-street parking in the city centre from 8am-12noon. This will be extended by an hour to 1pm, so people can take advantage of the shops.
- A commitment to freeze parking prices in council car parks for another year.
In 2009 the council made headlines for reducing parking charges in some of its car parks by up to 50 per cent. Since then the council has frozen parking charges and has continued to reduce prices in many of its car parks.
Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Southampton City Council, said: “Our aim to make it as easy and affordable as possible for residents and visitors to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
“By extending our free parking by one hour on Sunday, Southampton City Council is able to support local businesses and encourage the public spend more time within the city.”
Alongside the new parking policy Southampton City Council has frozen its parking charges for past two years, and does not charge for on street parking after 6pm.
Jimmy Chestnutt, Chief Executive for Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chamber welcomes the new car parking measures proposed by the City Council which should assist city centre retailers in particular.
“Notably the 10 minute free parking will be a blessing for High Street, East Street, Queensway, Bedford Place and London Road traders who have campaigned tirelessly with the Chamber and Streets Ahead (Southampton City Centre Management) for concessions. The City Council’s commitment to freeze tariffs for another year is also welcomed by businesses as they continue to seek to recover from recession.”
