Increases to parking costs will start next week, in an attempt to discourage people from driving into Winchester city centre.

Parking charges off-street and on-street will come into effect on October 31.

Back in March, civic chiefs introduced the plans, which include freezing season ticket charges at the park and rides, surrounding the city.

Winchester City Council is also removing free 30-minute pay and display parking in the city centre but introducing an hour's free parking in the 'Park & Walk' car parks - Chesil Street multi-storey, Cattle Market, Worthy Lane, Coach Park and River Park Leisure Centre.

Durngate is owned by the county council and so not included.

The council said that will reduce the number of cars that come into the city centre looking for a free parking space, adding to congestion and pollution.

Season tickets in the central zone will increase by three per cent but costs in 'Park and Walk' will be frozen and a new quarterly ticket introduced at £175 in park and ride.

Cllr Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, said to a March Cabinet meeting that the changes will discourage people from driving into the city centre.

He said: "It means if you arrive in Winchester after 5pm it is free if you park outside the Air Quality Management Area (the city centre). If you park at River Park Leisure Centre it is free after 4pm. You can take your dog for a walk for free. We are actively encouraging people to come to the centre but not go through the city centre.

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"There are an awful lot of people driving around to try to find on-street spaces and then they head for a car park. It is responsible for half of the traffic in peak hours."

Cllr Tod said the measure would free up more spaces for disabled Blue Badge holders.

Off-street parking, at: The Brooks, Middle Brook Street, Colebrook Street, Friarsgate, Jewry Street, Cossack Lane, Upper Brook Street, St Peter's, Tower Street, Gladstone Street and Guildhall Yard (on Saturdays and Sundays only), will see charges increase at an average of 10p an hour. Parking for up to four hours will increase from £5.80 - £6. 

On-street parking, at: Colebrook Street, Market Lane, Parchment Street, St Peter's Street, The Square, Tower Street, The Broadway, Andover Road, Upper High Street, Water Lane and Victoria Road, will increase from £1.40 - £1.60 for parking up to one hour. 

At North Walls, the increases are from £2 to £2.30 for 1.5 hours and £2.70 - £3 for two hours.

Paul Spencer, executive director of Winchester BID, said: "Increases in parking charges is not ideal during a cost of living crisis, and we want to ensure people continue to be encouraged to visit and enjoy our city centre. Although there are some minor increases to the most central parking in Winchester, we are very pleased to see that there are no increases for the park and ride sites and the park and walk sites. Also, free parking for up to an hour in some locations will be useful for those coming to the city centre for quick appointments, short visits or click and collect."

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “We take the issue of poor air quality extremely seriously and want to encourage people to keep visiting our city, but park outside the city centre. We’re introducing a free one hour parking option in our Park and Walk car parks and more attractive options for commuters at our Park & Ride sites. We are committed to keeping our high street healthy, so the rise in charges is below inflation and only in the central area, Parking outside the city centre will not only improve air quality, it saves commuters, shoppers and visitors money, reduces congestion and helps towards our climate change targets.”