Countryside car parks set for charges

The car park at Crab Wood near Winchester is among those where charges would be introduced

Charges at ten countryside car parks are set to be introduced as part of council attempts to plug its budget gap.

Hampshire County Council currently charges for parking at country parks but not at most of its other 100 car parks in rural locations.

Under the plan, "short term" users could have free parking for up to an hour before charges apply.

The authority said the move could generate £65,000.

While it has not revealed how much it would charge, it said fees could be similar to those charged by borough and district councils.

New Forest District Council charges for parking at its coastal car parks - £3 for two hours, £4 for four hours, £5.50 for six hours and £7 for up to 20 hours.

The car parks earmarked for charges:

• 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

• Westwood, Netley Abbey

The council said it would initially look at those 10 car parks because they have 20 or more spaces and could generate the most income.

Household waste recycling centres, school crossing patrols and museums also face cutbacks as part of the Conservative-run councils cost-cutting plan to meet a predicted £132m budget shortfall by April 2025.

A consultation on the parking charges runs until 31 March.