Parking in Portsmouth is a city-wide problem. Our narrow streets, closely knit terraced housing and densely populated island works against a car-heavy city.

That’s why, given the scale of the issue and the urgent need to tackle pollution, a city-wide parking policy is needed. What is more, we need a city-wide solution to transport in general – integrating cycle routes, buses, park and ride, as well as parking. Labour has long said this and we will continue to champion a city-wide parking and transport policy.

However, the recent reintroduction of partial parking permit zones in Central Southsea has led to some roads with the scheme, bordering others without it. This has led to the significant displacement of vehicles as some residents are avoiding paying for permits, by simply parking on nearby roads without the scheme. Residents out of the zones are now finding it harder than ever to park.

Central Southsea campaigner Charlotte Gerada said;

‘We think commercial businesses can play a role in helping to tackle the parking quandary in our city. We’ve heard this from residents on the doorstep and feedback we’ve received about the partial permit schemes. The Park Up Pompey campaign calls on commercial car parks to enable residential and commercial vehicles to park there at night’. 

There are 1,100 spaces at the Pompey Centre alone. Utilising these spaces could help to dramatically relieve our congested streets, not to mention the hours of wasted time and fuel trying to find a space.

Charlotte has already joined forces with local councillors George Fielding, Judith Smyth, fellow local campaigners Graham Heaney for St Jude, Luke Evans for Eastney & Craneswater and city MP Stephen Morgan to lobby retailers on the nearby Pompey centre to open up their car parks over night.

If you agree and would like to be part of the Park Up Pompey campaign, sign up here now:

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