Victory for campaigners in fight over Hampshire County Council parking plans on Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West in Barton and Saltgrass Lane and New Lane in Keyhaven

COASTAL businesses fighting unpopular plans for on-street parking charges are celebrating victory after it was revealed the county council is going back to the drawing board.

As reported by the A&T, seafront firms in Barton joined forces last month to fight the plans amid fears they would drive away customers in what they described as an already “tough trading environment”.

Hampshire County Council proposed introducing charges along Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West in Barton, along with Saltgrass Lane and New Lane in Keyhaven.

This would make on-street parking chargeable between 10am and 6pm, £4 for two hours.

However, a spokesperson for Hampshire County Council has now confirmed that after “a high number of responses” to the consultations, the plans are to be re-examined.

Speaking at the time, Beachcomber owner Malcolm Barry said: “The council has just added £4 onto the cost of a cup of coffee for my customers.

“Not only is the trading environment tough for us at the moment, many of our customers are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis and this will just make it unaffordable for them.”

But this week an HCC spokesperson confirmed: “Revisions to the original proposals are now being considered for both locations with the aim of addressing some of the comments that were raised through this process.

“Amended traffic order proposals will be published on our webpages this summer giving people a further opportunity to share their views.”

The announcement that HCC is rethinking its parking charge plans has been widely welcomed by businesses in Barton.

“It is nice to know that someone has actually listened to small businesses and taken on board what we have said,” said Malcolm Barry, adding: “Perhaps before HCC goes ahead with consulting on their next proposals for parking, they should come and speak to the businesses that will be impacted.

“It would be nice to know that we have been given some thought before any new proposals are published.”

Hayley Darbishire, of the Cliff House, also welcomed the announcement: “I really hope Hampshire County Council has taken on board the feedback from local residents and businesses who joined forces to make their voices heard.

“It really does show what a wonderful community we have, and I just hope that when HCC does come back with a new scheme it will be much more in line with supporting independent local businesses.

“If it isn’t going to raise any revenue for the council and the charges will just pay for the enforcement, then maybe they should leave it as it is.”

The plan for on-street parking charges was also condemned by a group of residents who had initially petitioned HCC to bring in parking restriction to stop overnight campervans from parking at Barton and Keyhaven.

Ray Daniel, who was among the group of residents calling for overnight restrictions, also welcomed the news that proposals have been put on hold.

He said: “The problem has always been the campervans that park up for days and weeks at a time. All we asked for was some restrictions to stop overnight parking but instead HCC decided to try and introduce parking charges which nobody wanted.”

Mr Daniel added: “If HCC would like some help in drawing up the plans that people have actually asked for, I’m certainly happy to draft some proposals for them.”