Winchester City Council increase parking charges in the city centre

The new charges started on Monday July 3 and see an end to free overnight parking and much higher charges on Sundays.

The increases have been criticised by busineses over the introduction of overnight charges, from 7pm to 8am at £3.10.

Parking on a Sunday for more than four hours has increased from £2.10 to £17. This is an increase of £14.90 or 709.5 per cent. 

Previously, parking on a Sunday was £2.10 all day, but now it will be charged like other days of the week.

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Overnight prices will apply to Colebrook Street, Cossack Lane, Middle Brook Street, Gladstone Street, Friarsgate, Jewry Street, St Peter’s, Tower Street and Guildhall Yard.

Cllr Caroline Horrill, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: “This will be bad for businesses. They will be the ones to suffer, especially those still recovering from the pandemic and those trying to get back on their feet. It's outrageous.”

Cllr Horrill added that the impact would be most felt by church congregations on Sunday mornings and gym users. She said: “We need to be doing all we can to support our residents. I'm upset for those who will suffer as a consequence. It will drive residents to other places.”

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Dr Paul Spencer, executive director of Winchester BID, said: “Although the recent changes impact only the most central car parks and others close to the city centre are not affected, some businesses are expressing concern about the introduction of these overnight parking charges. We are continuing to discuss with the council the feedback we are receiving about potential impacts on those operating in the evenings, during the night and early mornings such as hospitality and nighttime economy venues and also gyms and fitness studios.”

Kyoto Kitchen owner Miff Kayum previously described the changes as “ill thought” and “damaging”. Reacting to the increases, he said: “It just goes from bad to worse. I can understand that, like everyone else, the city council is under pressure with staffing issues and increasing costs. It’s the lack of consultation that results in the policy not taking into account impacts on business, on evening workers and public users. I wasn’t aware that Sunday charges had gone up so much either - and with the lack of park and ride and other bus services on a Sunday will make it harder for locals to get about.”

As reported, the increases were approved by Winchester City Council on Monday June 5.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “These changes only apply to the most central car parks in the air quality action zone and are designed to cut congestion and improve air quality while ensuring that people continue to visit and enjoy our city centre.

"Importantly, there are still options for free parking close to the city centre in the evenings and on Sundays. There are 'Park & Walk' car parks just a 5-10 minute walk into the city centre including the Cattle Market car park, Worthy Lane, River Park and Chesil street car parks. All these also offer a free one-hour parking option in the daytime too – so many will be free to park in from 5pm. We have purposefully not increased the costs for these car parks. Blue Badge Holders remain free to park at all times in the pay and display car parks in the city centre.

"There are a wide range of travel options we offer when visiting our city. During the day and into the early evening we have three Park & Ride sites with regular buses serving the city centre: one is just a 10-15 minute walk away.  New and enhanced cycle parking options are being installed across the city, and of course we have a train station a short walk away too.

"In the end, air quality doesn’t care what day of the week it is or what time of day it is – and we have to keep working to improve it. We continue to have easily available free parking for people working in or visiting the city in the evening and on Sundays.”