Free parking time slashed at busy spot

VISITORS in Old Portsmouth will be restricted to one-hour free parking, despite concerns raised by studio owners.

Tenants of the new £1.75m Hotwalls Studios wrote to the city council after the plans were unveiled.

Residents from Broad Street, Old Portsmouth, attended the traffic and transportation meeting and supported the plan, which was approved.

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According to council documents, one unnamed tenant said: ‘The council spent a huge sum of money converting the former barracks and arches into a successful venue – restricting free parking will seriously affect the Hotwalls experience.’

No-one from the Hotwalls Studios made a deputation at the meeting.

At the meeting last Thursday Angela Paige, 61, chairwoman of the Spice Island Association, said the plan was ‘positive’ and that residents found it difficult to find spaces.

Tony Davenport, 76, of Broad Street, added: ‘The main reason why I support the one hour free parking is that we hope it will release parking spaces available for the local residents.’

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The change does not affect the pay and display parking available in the High Street, Museum Road, Pembroke Road, Grand Parade, Broad Street, Trimmer’s Court and at the Camber at Land Rover BAR car park.

Cllr Jim Fleming approved the plan to reduce the free parking in the KA residents parking zone, which will cost £2,200 to draw up the order and change all the signs.

Council officers said there were 1,069 properties in Old Portsmouth, with 739 KA permit, 620 on-street spaces and 128 off-street spaces.

Concerns were also raised about Portsmouth Cathedral supporters and worshippers.

In the consultation one Lombard Street resident told council officers: ‘Services at all its major events throughout the year will be extremely difficult.’