ALTON councillors have put in a bid for free short-term parking at the new 15-space car park on land adjacent to Rogers Court off Draymans Way.
The request comes in response to public consultation by East Hampshire District Council on a proposal to introduce charges in line with those levied at the existing Church Street site.
This would set the charges at 30p for one hour, 50p for two hours, 80p for three hours, £1.50 for four hours, £2 for five hours, £3 for nine hours and £4 all day.
Keen that this car park should encourage shoppers into Normandy Street, as part of the regeneration of this part of town, members present at last weekÕs meeting of Alton Town Council planning committee rejected the proposed charges, asking instead for a trial system which would enable people to park free for a 20 or 30 minute period of time.
Operated in such places as Bishops Waltham, councillors were of the firm belief that, if successful in this small car park, it could be a system which, if extended to all car parks, could benefit the town as a whole.