Lymington's Elliotts retailer Neil Welker slams Hampshire County Council decision to pursue high street parking charges

A LEADING Lymington retailer has attacked the resurrection of plans to introduce parking charges in the town’s high street.

Hampshire County Council cabinet member Cllr Russell Oppenheimer gave the green light to reduce the current one-hour free parking to 30 minutes, with two hours chargeable.

It argued the proceeds will stop it drawing on highways maintenance funding and bring in £450,000 in the coming years.

It has not set a timescale on the changes and will discuss the proposal with Lymington county councillor Barry Dunning – who has opposed the move publicly.

The council said: “Charging for parking will help to manage the demand for parking as people abide by the time restrictions they have paid for, moving on before expiry and, thereby, freeing up parking for other users.”

The proposal must go through a traffic regulation order process, which will include a local consultation.

But Neil Welker – who runs Elliotts clothing store and has campaigned against charges – said the decision to press ahead was “incredibly disappointing”.

“It will undoubtedly damage the high street community and local businesses by discouraging people from visiting Lymington High Street and make it harder for small local businesses to compete against out-of-town shopping destinations and online retail.”

As reported in the A&T, HCC took back responsibility for traffic management from New Forest District Council in 2019 and announced it intended to introduce charges.

However, there was outcry from Lymington and Pennington Town Council and NFDC’s cabinet member for economic development, Cllr Michael Harris, and amid the pandemic HCC subsequently shelved the proposal last year.

Opponents argued that in light of the adverse effect the pandemic was already having on businesses, charges would damage the local economy further.

Mr Welker said there had been a “devastating effect” on retail and hospitality businesses due to “endless restrictions and repeated lockdowns”, blaming it for several empty shops in Lymington now.

He added: “To look at introducing car parking charges just at the point where the businesses that have survived can start thinking about recovering from the effects of the last 18 months is a real blow.

“Repeated arguments against the charges, highlighting the negative effects, were put forward to Hampshire County Council in 2019.

“However, it seems, despite the unified opposition of local residents and businesses, Lymington Society, the Chamber of Commerce, Lymington and Pennington Town Council and the town’s own county councillor, Hampshire County Council is determined to push ahead regardless of the consequences.”

Mr Welker continued: “Sadly this seems to reflect a growing trend of politicians and civil servants having little understanding of the challenges faced by small local businesses and wishing to pursue their own agenda in complete opposition to the local communities they claim to represent and govern.

“I have written again to Hampshire County Council in the last few days to make clear the continued opposition to these proposals and look forward to further dialogue and communication on the matter.”