Southampton City Council announces start of project to bring 1,000 much-needed parking spaces to city estates
Southampton residents are set to benefit from additional parking facilities, which will address the demand for spaces and enhance the appearance of local neighbourhoods, as a year-long estates improvement project gets underway
Between now and Spring 2023, Southampton City Council will work with its highway partner Balfour Beatty to deliver 1,000 new parking spaces in estates across the city. To maximise the number of new spaces, a mix of formal car parks, parking bays and converted road verges will be created.
To maximise the number of new spaces, a mix of formal car parks, parking bays and converted road verges will be created.
The sites have been identified following thorough investigation by Ward Councillors, Cabinet Members and Housing Services staff, and reflect requests from residents for more parking spaces near their homes. Consideration has been given to locations where vehicles are currently being parked on verges, which causes damage to the ground and risks blocking entrances and emergency vehicle and refuse collection routes.
Alongside the spaces – many of which will be paved in special concrete to improve drainage and allow grass to grow – up to 130 trees donated by the Woodland Trust and approximately 20,000sqm of wildflowers will be planted.
Subject to planning and further consultation with local communities, new parking facilities will be introduced in:
- Bassett
- Beovis
- Bitterne (where schemes are already underway in Lydgate Road and Farringford Road)
- Coxford
- Harefield
- Millbrook
- Redbridge
- Shirley
- Sholing
- Swaythling
- Woolston
Some road closures will be necessary to complete the work; affected households will be notified directly of the arrangements, including timescales, plus updates will be posted on the Connecting Southampton website.
"This high-priority 1,000 parking spaces project will help us deliver one of our key commitments to Southampton and its residents,” said Councillor Spiros Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Heritage, Southampton City Council. “While we want to encourage people to use public transport as much as possible, there remains a need for a fit-for-purpose parking provision in the city. I hope that by creating dedicated parking spaces we can improve motorist and vehicle safety, plus improve the look of the neighbourhoods and create environments people can be proud to live in."
The full list of sites, along with some frequently asked questions, can be found at 1,000 Parking Spaces Project.
Residents can stay up to date with the project’s progress by subscribing to the City News, Tenants’ Link and transport ebulletins and by following #1000spaces on Twitter.
