Lib Dems back campaign to reinstate 1 hour free parking in Lymington High Street

Lib Dems in Lymington and Pennington are supporting a campaign run by local business owners to reinstate the 1 hour free parking period in Lymington High Street. The free parking period was reduced to 20 minutes when meters were introduced in 2021.

A motion has been submitted by Lib Dem Town Councillor for Buckland, Hannah Phillips, to the next meeting of the Town Council. Cllr Phillips' motion calls for a meeting to be organised between councillors, officers, and the Executive Member for Highways on Hampshire County Council to discuss reinstating the 1 hour free period. It also instructs the County Councillor for Lymington and Boldre to request the reinstatement of the 1 hour free period at the next meeting of Hampshire County Council.

In her motion, Hannah says: 

“Whilst this council recognises the budgetary pressures faced by Hampshire County Council, this council believes the increase in charges will reduce footfall on the High Street and make life harder for high street businesses - especially our small independent shops.”

Supporting the campaign, Mayor of Lymington and Pennington, Cllr Jack Davies added:

"Lymington is the only town in the New Forest with parking meters in its High Street. When the Conservatives imposed parking meters here, they promised us we would not be the only town to have them. They lied.

"The Conservatives also promised the income from parking charges would be spent on improving road maintenance locally. They lied about that too.

“Now they have increased the charges further. Our small, independent, shops deserve better. I'm pleased the local Lib Dems are standing up for our High Street.”