Consultation on city centre parking increases should have been circulated wider, a council meeting heard.

Winchester City Council came under fire for introducing the new charges in July.

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. 

Also, the previously overnight free period from 7pm to 8am now costs £3.30.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for climate change, spoke at the full council meeting on Wednesday, September 20. 

Former city councillor Ian Tait asked who had been consulted prior to the changes. 

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Cllr Learney said: “We attended the March meeting of Winchester and District Business Strategy Group as we were advised this was the best meeting to attend to get the full representation from the BID, Chamber of Commerce and other business groups across Winchester.

“The presentation included details on evening and overnight to be introduced in July. We also engaged with Hampshire County Council. Following this, we have continued to engage with the BID team, businesses and charities so we can help them understand how the changes affect them.”

Mr Tait asked if the consultation had been effective. Cllr Learney said: “In retrospect, clearly we should have pressed for wider circulation of the presentation amongst our businesses in Winchester. But I am pleased to say that although it is early days footfall figures are showing positive signs regarding the use of our park and walk; and park and ride car parks. Congestion is the real killer of trade in our town. Going forward we will adjust our parking system appropriately.”

Cllr Jan Warwick asked if the charges would be revisited. In a written response, Cllr Learney said: “We continually review the effectiveness of our parking management in achieving the aims and objectives of the Parking and Access Strategy and the Winchester Movement Strategy. 

“Where businesses and local organisations identify opportunities to improve our tariffs in a way that’s consistent with our environmental and economic objectives, we listen and look to adjust. Following meetings with businesses and the voluntary sector organisations that approached us and highlighted particular issues we have undertaken targeted consultation on further improvements to the parking charges and management regime. 

“I will be considering those potential improvements at a decision day on October 9 which will be subject to consideration of the consultation responses which closed on September 15.”