'Disastrous' new parking zone in Portsmouth rejected after objections from residents

Portsmouth City Council leader Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson decided not to impose the controversial HC parking zone in Copnor that would have allowed only permit holders to park between 6pm and 8pm in the area.

The proposal initially gained support through an informal survey of residents in which 80 per cent of respondents were in favour of a permitted zone, however, a formal consultation carried out this year found 135 in objection and just 57 in support.

Speaking at a traffic and transportation meeting Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'In the informal survey they said they did want it so it was absolutely right that we went to a formal consultation.

'They now said they don't want it. We are going to listen to them and not implement it.'

Other councillors also objected to the scheme.

Copnor ward representative Cllr Rob New attended the meeting to make a deputation. He said: 'I would urge you to stand with the residents and uphold democracy.

'The displacement HC will cause will be miserable for my residents as well as Fratton and Baffins.'

His peer Cllr Benedict Swann agreed. 'I am in a state of disbelief that we are here discussing this,' he said.

'The whole process has been handled in a grubby manner.

'Listen to the residents and us and stop this disastrous parking zone.'

Cllr Terry Norton added: 'The other concern of many Baffins residents was that people will simply park on the opposite side of the railway track and avoid paying for the permits.

We could be in a situation where people are walking a long distance on their own where it is badly lit because they have no choice or to avoid paying.

'We would be holding people prisoners in their homes because they would not want to go out and lose their parking space.'

The proposed zone would have covered an area east of Copnor Road between Copnor Bridge and Burrfields Road.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson acted as decision maker in place of cabinet member Cllr Lynne Stagg due to the fact she lives in the HC area.