Anger over fees increase at Havant town centre car parks
PRICE HIKE The Meridian Centre
SHOPPERS and staff have criticised plans to increase charges at two car parks in Havant
The owners of the Meridian Shopping Centre car parks, off Elm Lane and West Street, want to put up some charges by as much as 40 per cent.
It will be the first rise in five years and coincides with a £100,000 refurbishment.
But it comes as Havant Borough Council considers introducing waiting restrictions in nearby West Street, Staunton Road, Western Road and Brockhampton Road – meaning workers and shoppers will be forced to use the car park.
In the West Street car park, charges will go up from 60p to £1 an hour; from £1.60 to £2 for three to four hours and £3.50 to £4 for over four hours.
In the Meridian Centre car park the day charge increases from £3.50 to £5 from March 19.
Lauren Healy, 22, from Havant, said: ‘As a single mum, I think it’s ridiculous.
‘I would not be able to afford £5 a day. Sixty pence for an hour is reasonable and they shouldn’t put it up to £1.
‘I’ll have to walk instead which is going to take a long time. They did have to sort the lighting out because it is such a dark car park.
‘But I don’t think they should penalise the people who use it to pay for it.’
Sarah Budziszewski, 36, uses the West Street car park regularly as she works at Betfred, just opposite.
She said: ‘You would think that in a town like Havant they would keep car parking low to encourage people in.
‘I don’t have a choice, I have to pay it as I work here but others who do have a choice won’t come here.’
Rob Fryer, the centre manager, said the refurbishment will benefit all users.
‘We appreciate that times are difficult at present but feel the improvements will encourage regular customer use to the car park and town centre,’ said Mr Fryer.
‘With the increased lighting and introduction of CCTV, we’re promoting safety and putting a stop to the previous mindless incidents of vandalism and graffiti in this area.
‘It made it unattractive and intimidating to both potential and regular users.’
He added: ‘One of our long-term aims is to help support residents with their parking in the town centre area. I’ve already been approached to look at options for using our car park due to the lack of on street parking for them.’
The council is doing a review of town centre parking and will make a decision later in the year.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 21 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
lazyboysteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:21 PMi have the answer knock down havant town center and plant some tree's this would produce fresh air and big green parks for all the bum's to sit and drink !! well there won't be any jobs there soon. well done havant council top marks A + must try harder
Yocal
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:08 PMWell, maybe the climate change levy should include the number of parking spaces a business has. If Tescos prefer people to drive to their stores, they should really be paying for the damage done. If they then still want to have free parking, they'll have to reduce emissions elsewhere in the business or hike up their prices.
LeonCarter
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 06:18 PMUse the council car park just around the corner off north street only a short walk and better than paying rip off parking eye charges
griffon
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:21 PM@17 Could I just add that it was as you suggest a Saturday afternoon and during our busy period. Needless to say Tesco is delighted with the hikes
lazyboysteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:59 PMthat picture must have been taken on a saturday
lazyboysteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:56 PMWell done havant keep up the good work"""
pompeyfanpaul
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:54 PMAnother nail in the coffin for Havant shops, I do most of my shopping online now due to rip off parking charges and petrol prices.
firelover
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:06 PMRichard B ( 8 ) thats brill that your riding .i agree with you comment
firelover
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:04 PMLauren Healy, 22, from Havant, said: ‘As a single mum, I think it’s ridiculous.????????? she lives in havant lol not heard of a bus or walking .kids need to walk or if a baby a bit of fresh air is good for them ???
Harula
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:38 PMHere we go again Havant. If its not the local council, its the town centre giants!!!!!!!! No wonder we need more parking lines is the west street area........Why not just close Havant down??????????.............and then all the people who park at the Plaza can continue to park there for nothing....................including the many managers on plenty of big bucks
Flying bull
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:36 PMjayjayef: All you need to know about shopping is in comment 9 Good luck with the higher car parking tax.....Simple
BrigitteB
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:23 PMDo Mopeds have to pay? (I'm a long way from home and don't know) - Richard B just reminded me of when I was 16 - 19, I rode a Moped to Hayling Island (Near Beachlands) every day for 3 years. Rain, snow it didn't matter, I had to get to work and it was before the earliest bus! Always still dark out. Those were not easy days, but they are beautiful memories to me now!
haylingpete
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:23 PMjayjayef: You asked another; "please let us all know where you can go shopping without the need to 'pay to park' " simple, In Solent Road Tesco for 3 hours to get produce and groceries - other items the good Lord 'Amazon' - don't need to pay & park from the comfort of my armchair. Next question please.
Richard B
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:54 PMHas anyone in Havant area heard of bikes? I am 66 and always bike into Fareham 4 miles away unless the wife wants to go in which case we go on Sundays when it is free in several of the car parks. I will not pay parking charges. It is usually quicker by bike than bus or car anyway. Admittedly there will be some who cannot bike, mums with pushchairs and those who live more than say five miles away, but workers should be able too.
Yocal
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:43 PMDaleMs vision of the future reminds me of the fat lazy people stranded in space in Wall-E.
Page 1 of 2
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.