Winchester Community Choir slams overnight parking charges

Winchester Community Choir, based at the United Church in Jewry Street, has said that the overnight charges will mean additional costs of £112 per year for its members. 

Winchester City Council introduced the new charges earlier this month. The previously free period from 7pm to 8am now costs £3.30.

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. 

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

READ MORE: Winchester City Council increase parking charges in the city centre

Denis Gibson, the choir's membership secretary, said: “Our choir meets weekly during term time in Jewry Street. Lots of people walk to choir, a couple of people cycle, but neither is an option for out-of-town members. 

“For them, the £3.30 overnight charge in city centre car parks will add £112 per year to the cost of taking part. Some people can afford that, or will find ways around it, like park and walk from the outlying car parks. But there will be those who find that alternative very undesirable: for example, people rushing straight from work to choir rehearsal who won’t make it in time; elderly members of the choir but not relishing an extra walk in all weathers or women faced with a walk to the edge of town alone.

“Honestly, I don’t know how many choir members will leave or what effect this will have on future recruitment. But I’m worried. Some of members, who live half-way between Winchester and Alton, have already checked out the Alton alternative – where parking is free and there’s a two-minute walk to the rehearsal venue. On a cold, wet winter’s night who wouldn’t choose that over a hike through Winchester?

“Our choir must be one of many community groups, clubs, churches and charities in Winchester worried at what effect these charges will have on their membership.”

The choir's petition had been signed by 274 people on Tuesday July 18, and has a deadline of Sunday September 24. 

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for the climate emergency, previously 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.”

To see the petition, visit democracy.winchester.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=45&TPID=3399561&$LO$=1.