WINCHESTER is to undergo a car parking shake up to cope with the thousands of visitors who descend on the city centre over Christmas, it has been revealed.
It comes after traffic problems in the city throughout the festive season over the past couple of years.
Now businesses and parking chiefs are to launch new schemes they hope will ease the pressure on city centre roads.
They include more parking marshalls and extended park and ride opening times.
The new move to ease congestion has been put forward by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) and the city council.
As part of the shake up a car park counter will be put in place which will show the amount of parking spaces in certain car parks around the city, including Park and Rides and a number of city centre car parks.
City transport boss Cllr James Byrnes said this should stop motorists driving around the centre of Winchester, hunting for a space as they can check the counter before leaving the house.
The city, known as the Christmas Capital, is a favourite for thousands of both visitors and tourists who travel to attend the famous Christmas Market and Ice Rink – which open on November 18.
Other new initiatives being implemented are extended bus times for Park and Ride car parks to 8.30pm (an hour later) and the availability of the lift and toilets at Chesil Street multi storey car park at the weekends.
Traffic marshals, funded by the BID, will be on duty at the Brooks Shopping Centre Car Park and King Alfred statue, providing information and parking directions to incoming vehicles. Parking marshals will also be on hand in the Park and Ride car parks on peak days to help people find parking spaces and ease traffic flow.
Cllr Byrnes added that although the council was not increasing the amount of spaces in the city, the new measures should “give extra capacity” at one of l Continued on page 2 the busiest times of the year.
“Winchester is an enchanting place to visit and shop in at Christmas,” said Cllr Byrnes.
“But we need to ensure that people enjoy the whole experience – from their arrival to the moment they leave.
“That means getting the infrastructure right and ensuring the presentation of the city is as good at it can possibly be. We want to reach out to new shoppers and encourage them to come to Winchester – and indeed to our delightful market towns and villages - rather than order online or head off to rival shopping centres.”
BID members will also be offered 150 spaces at weekends on the lower deck at Tower Street Car Park, to leave spaces in public car parks for shoppers.
More parking will also be provided for city council staff at St Catherine’s Park and Ride and the Bar End Depot to leave spaces at Chesil multi storey for shoppers.
The council is also confident that the opening this year of the new Park and Ride at Pitt with its 199 spaces will also help to ensure that visitors can find a space that suits their needs.
Catherine Turness, executive director of Winchester BID, said: “Winchester really has truly become the home of Christmas, and as such we want everyone to feel that their needs have been catered for when they come here to shop, skate, eat out or be entertained.
“I feel that we have made significant progress towards dealing with some of the concerns of last year. And we are not resting on our laurels - there is more still to come.”
To check parking spaces availability in the city, go to viewwinchester.com/parking-information
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel