Fresh from the recent local elections, the Liberal Democrats have announced they will be implementing brand new parking charges on Winchester residents and visitors.
Leader of the Conservative Group on Winchester City Council, Cllr Caroline Horrill said: “Local people are rightly angry but hardly surprised that they kept this quiet in the run-up to the local elections.
“Not only is the inherent dishonesty in their approach entirely shameful, the principle of imposing yet more charges and fees at a time when everyone is struggling and parking charges are at an all-time high is completely out of touch.
“If the Conservatives take control of the City Council at the next local elections we will reverse these unnecessary parking penalties and keep Winchester open for business.”
Steve Brine MP said; “Clearly residents voted for this council and the administration has a big majority to force it through but you have to win the argument as well as the vote in my opinion.
“This is not what the city needs right now in terms of the night time economy but it’s going to be especially unwelcome for city centre residents who pay a premium to live centrally and park overnight without charge.”
The owner of the highly esteemed Japanese restaurant Kyoto Kitchen, Miff Kayum, has questioned when businesses were given the opportunity to comment.
Mr Kayum said: “This is a really bad decision. Where was the consultation? This ill thought and damaging charge at a time when the night time economy and small independent businesses are still recovering Covid and last year’s turbulent economic challenges will have little benefit for achieving net and cause visitors to go elsewhere.”
