City centre overnight parking charges criticised

The new city centre car parking charges were introduced on 1 December

New evening parking charges could hit cultural and community activities in Winchester, critics have said.

Winchester City Council has introduced charging for parking during the evening and overnight in the city centre.

A community choir said it would cost each of its members £60 a year to participate in evening rehearsals.

The council said it was part of its strategy to reduce traffic and pollution from vehicle emissions.

The new charges, introduced on 1 December, mean it now costs £1.80 an hour between 19:00 and 20:00 in car parks, including Middle Brook Street, Friarsgate and Jewry Street.

There is also a charge of up to £3.30 for parking between the hours of 19:00 and 08:00.

A petition calling on the city council to abolish the new charges has received more than 500 signatures.

Winchester Community Choir chairman David Darcy Hughes told a council meeting the charges were affecting charity, community and cultural activities.

“The cost of the evening parking charge falls heavily on those least able to afford it and excludes them from participating in community activities,” he said.

The choir rehearses in the United Church, in Jewry Street, on a Tuesday - performing two charity concerts each year.

The parking charges add a minimum of £60 per year for each choir member to participate, he said.

Conservative opposition councillor Stephen Godfrey also told the meeting the charges were to raise money for the "council’s coffers" while they have affected the city centre and rural life by stopping people coming in for meals, activities and church-going.

Kelsie Lerney, cabinet member for climate emergency at the Lib Dem-run council, said that she would continue to engage with local community groups and businesses.

But she said she would not lose sight of the overall strategy to reduce traffic and emission pollution in the city while making the city centre more pleasant for residents and visitors.

She said the council would continue to monitor the footfall in Winchester.