MEASURES to clamp down on parking in Micheldever Station have been approved.

The council's traffic and parking committee decided to impose a range of waiting and parking restrictions to deal with on-street parking.

The station car park is regularly full, meaning commuters are using the roads around the village to park.

According to council officers, there are around 50, unrestricted on-street parking spaces near the station, which will be cut by 20 to 25 spaces.

The traffic regulation order (TRO) will be implemented through a combination of single yellow lines and permit holder only parking The plans are also aimed at solving visibility and obstruction issues, as well as access problems along Overton Road and to provide passing places for traffic.

The matter was originally considered at a meeting on November 9 but a decision was deferred so the council could consult with the parish council and South West Trains.

However, the parish council said they are not proposing to increase commuter parking, and South West Trains and Network Rail have no plans to deliver additional spaces.

At the committee meeting, resident Steve Carter, of Mill Place, said he supported the TRO.

"The village is overflowing - something has to be done," he said.

"It would be better if Network Rail could provide more parking but at the end of the day is it fair that we should be put at risk while we wait for Network Rail to do something?"

James Drewer of Wonston Lane, Wonston, who commutes from the station, said: "We need to look at safety and I accept there are some things that need looking at. I don't think in any way that this the full story. This proposal goes much much further. The scheme is going to cause enormous inconvenience for a huge number of people."

Micheldever parish councillor John Botham confirmed the council had started investigating the feasibility of providing a shuttle bus service to and from the station, but they had not received enough interest from commuters.

"The uptake has been so negligible so it could not be taken up.We can't very well operate a service with empty buses," he said.

But Euan Worthington, a resident of Stoke Charity, said: "It is nearly impossible to park at Micheldever station at nine o'clock these days. I am sympathetic with the local people but we live a long way away - a mini bus is not an alternative."

Liberal Democrat county councillor Jackie Porter said: " I am supporting the residents over the commuters on this occasion. I think it is difficult for commuters. I do believe the commuters' battle should be with South West Trains."

Cllr James Byrnes said: " The risk I think with installing the measures we have before us today is that it is not entirely clear if the effect of that would drive down the use of the station and adversely effect property values.

"I do not think Network Rail's position on this is particularly helpful. It is probably the right thing to do. I don't think as a committee we are in a much better position today than we were in November."

The parking restrictions were recommended for approval, with Cllr Weston proposing an amendment to remain engaged with key stakeholders in the process.