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Councillor calms fears about parking on common

A top councillor has reassured residents concerned about parking on Southsea Common.

Portsmouth City Council is planning to let drivers park on the common sometimes during the summer. But Cllr Lynne Stagg, Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, says this has been allowed for many years. And there would be less parking allowed this summer than in the past.

She said: "Parking has been allowed on the common for years. Up to now, we've allowed it to be used for a maximum of 25 days in the summer. This has been reduced to 17 days this year.

"It's understandable that residents are protective of the common, because it's a wonderful resource. But we're a waterfront city and need to cater for visitors.

"Sometimes, especially during special events, the normal seafront parking spaces get completely full and we need to let people park on the common. This is carefully controlled and only done when we have monitored how full the normal parking spaces are getting.

"This year we are allowing parking on fewer days than last year.

"As we did last year, we will be using temporary pay-and-display machines on the common. These are much better than the old method we used, which involved staff collecting money for parking by hand, and carrying cash around with them. This can obviously be unsafe.

"The pay-and-display machines will be green, so they blend in with the common more.

"I can reassure residents that parking on the common is being kept to a minimum. The council is working hard to get a park-and-ride system for the city that will reduce the pressure on parking in Southsea and other areas."

Date : 27 June 2008

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