Southampton City Council has announced four free weekend parking days in district centre car parks, including Bitterne and Portswood, in the run up to Christmas.
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Parking will be free from 10am on Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December.
The free parking applies in Bitterne at Angel Crescent, Commercial Street, Lances Hill, Peartree Gardens, West End Road and Whites Road car parks.
Westridge Road car park in Portswood is also included, as well as selected other council car parks in Shirley and Wooltson.
Councillor Christie Lambert, cabinet member for transport, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the free parking in our district centre car parks over this Christmas period, making it one less thing for local people to have to consider.
“The national Small Business Saturday and our own Southampton Loves Local campaigns aim to raise awareness of the great things that local small and independent businesses offer to their customers and communities and I would encourage everyone to explore their local shops for unique gifts and party supplies this Christmas.”
New charges of 50p for an hour and £1 for two hours were introduced at sites at 17 sites in Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley and Woolston in April.
A recent council report has found there was “no evidence” that the controversial decision had a significant impact on footfall, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service this month. Parking charges were mainly in place to manage demand, said the council’s head of transport and planning, it was reported.