THOUSANDS of Winchester residents will see control of their parking permits transfer to Hampshire County Council.

The permit scheme, which affects 4,000 households, has been run by the city council for around 30 years. It was introduced to stop commuter parking in the city centre but now extends across most of the city.

It was run by the city as agents for the county and Hampshire is taking back control from October 1. As previously reported, it is doing the same in other towns across the county.

Traffic management, enforcing things such as double yellow lines, went to the county in April.

The city council retains control of the car parks, except for Durngate which is owned by the county.

Andy Hickman, head of programmne at the city council, updated councillors on the town forum.

Thousands of Winchester residents have been receiving letters this week from both authorities outlining the changes, he reported.

Mr Hickman said: "We have been planning this for more than a year, restructuring our team. We will retain off-street car parks, this is just on-street. The county will be using a private company NSL."

The previous paper permits will be replaced by digital. Enquiries will have to go to Hampshire rather than the city.

Mr Hickman said: "The biggest difference is that it will be digital not paper permits. That is quite a big change. The county runs differently - they don't have a dedicated phone or reception. Residents will have to get used to it. Hopefully it will be smooth."

He said off-street concessions to park in car parks would operate for  at least a year.