Southampton Considers Raising Rates By Up To 400%

Daytime charges would go up 33 per cent and, for the first time, evening visitors to the city centre would have to pay to park. The scheme has come under fire from residents, traders and religious leaders. Business leaders also oppose the plan since company parking charges would soar by 400 per cent. A street parking permit for firms would rocket from 52 pounds a year to 250 pounds. This month, Southampton City Council's highways chief will launch a formal consultation, or scrap the scheme. Council leader Adrian Vinson defended the changes saying the driving force was to shake up traffic management in the evening. But, he said, "traffic management and raising money are not incompatible."