HAMPSHIRE County Council has approved plans to develop on-street pay and display parking in a number of towns.

These will also be installed in non-retail areas, including sea front locations and areas popular with visitors.

The recommendations were agreed by Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, the county council’s Executive Member for Highways Operations.

Councillor Oppenheimer said: “I’ve noted that previously agreed plans were put on hold due to the pandemic. But now, as we are slowly looking towards coming out of the restrictions nationally, town centres are become much busier, creating more demand for parking spaces, it seems that it is sensible now to set a timescale for introducing charging for on-street parking.”

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

Money generated will also help to avoid a draw on Highways maintenance funding, which has been needed to fund enforcement of on-street parking regulations.

‘Pay and display’ schemes are becoming the norm in the majority of cities, towns and larger villages across the UK.

The introduction of charges will also help complement the district and borough council managed off-street car parks, which are also usually subject to parking charges.