Winchester City Council may not renew city parking permits

Those living in the city centre can currently park for free in car parks on Sundays under a scheme initiated by the city council.

After Hampshire County Council took charge of on-street parking in the city last October, the city council continued to offer the permits to locals.

However, this scheme will expire on October 1 and neither the county council nor the city council has announced any plans to renew or replace it amid confusion over whose responsibility the issue should be.

READ MORE: Hampshire County Council's new parking policy ruffles feathers

Fred White is frustrated with the county council's lack of action (Image: Fred White)

As things stand, therefore, residents will be forced to pay £17 for a day's parking on Sundays, when visitors to the city take up many on-street parking spaces in residential areas.

Because visitors can park free on streets around most of the city on Sundays, it can be difficult to find parking anywhere near the city centre, forcing locals into paid car parks.

Fred White, 68, of Sussex Street, is exasperated with the county council, which he feels is avoiding him and his fellow residents' queries about the issue.

He said: "They said they’d take it into consideration. We’re being ignored. It’s very frustrating, especially when councillors aren’t responding."

Along with his residents, he has organised meetings with councillors, including one with Winchester City Councillor Chris Westwood.

"We had conventions about weekend parking," said Mr White. "The permits are going to be taken away.

SEE ALSO: Letter: 'Anger' and 'disgust' at city centre parking charges

"On the weekends people come in from outside the city, so we have to park in the car parks. When you change a car you can’t get another permit."

The Chronicle spoke to Winchester City Councillor Kelsie Learney about which council should be taking responsibility for this issue. The county council are incredibly cash-strapped.

"I'm meeting officers to agree about what concessions we might give."

Cllr Learney suggested that city centre residents can park on Worthy Lane, pointing out that it is only a ten-minute walk from Sussex Street.

She added: "One of the issues we have in that area is that people can't easily park outside their houses."

While residents feel the county council should be making plans for the future of weekend parking in Winchester, Hampshire County Council itself feels it is not responsible.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “We are aware of a historic arrangement that Winchester City Council had in place with some residents with on-street parking permits, allowing them to park in the City Council’s car parks at certain times.

"This arrangement was in place prior to the transfer to the County Council of responsibility for on-street parking in Winchester, including the on-street resident permit scheme, on October 1, 2023. It would be for the city council to comment on whether, and on what basis, any arrangements might continue, as the city council retains responsibility for car parks."

Concerns have also been voiced by business owners about indiscriminate ticketing allegedly carried out by NSL wardens in the city centre, including reports of a Biffa bin lorry being fined.

NSL are contracted by the county council as the city's parking enforcers.