Winchester News Online
Pollution levels still on the rise in Winchester
Anger has been expressed at the slow progress in reducing pollution in Winchester city centre.
The centre’s one-way system and main routes have been covered by an Air Quality Management Area since 2003 with the first action plan launched in 2006, but levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulates still remain high in the city.
Winchester’s air pollution is mainly caused by traffic so the first lockdown saw levels reducing, the health and environment committee heard.
David Ingram, head of environmental health & licensing, said the council policy was to try to reduce traffic in the city centre with higher parking charges to encourage the use of park and ride.
“The most significant improvement in air quality would be realised by a significant reduction in vehicles accessing the town centre. There is a dichotomy in how we reduce levels of traffic without having a direct impact on economic prospects. We are trying to discourage more polluting vehicles such as SUVs.”
“We want to create a sense of movement in the district and something we want everyone to want to be a part of.”
The council is cutting its carbon footprint with the use of electric vehicles and reducing staff commuting.
A spokesperson from Winchester Council said the uptake of electric vehicles had been more than offset by the increased number of SUVs on the roads which was “very disappointing.”
Cllr Jackie Porter, Lib Dem, said of behaviour change: “Don’t underestimate lots of people making small changes: eating a vegetarian meal twice a week, using a slow cooker more often. Not everyone will rush out and buy an electric car.”
Park and ride users in Winchester will pay an extra pound per day from next month.
Winchester City Council posted “notices of variation for charges” across park & ride car parks.
It said that the price for all-day parking will increase from £3.50 to £4.50 and seasonal tickets will rise by 28%.
Some park and ride users were critical of the increase.
One woman, who uses the service regularly, said: “I’m surprised. I haven’t read anything about that at all.
“It does seem quite a steep rise.”
A tourist visiting from Canada said: “I think the service will remain high class, but it may be a hardship for some people who may find it less affordable.”
But another man, who lives in Winchester, said: “It’s so easy, it’s worth paying. I mean, where else would we park in Winchester?”
The Winchester Green Party said any increase in charges needs to be considered carefully to ensure that users are not put off using the service.
“Park and ride plays an important role in Winchester’s transport network.
“It helps reduce congestion in the city centre, supports air quality objectives and provides an alternative to driving into some of Winchester’s busiest streets.
“From a climate perspective, the long-term objective should be to make sustainable travel options attractive, convenient and accessible.
“For many residents and visitors, park and ride remains an important part of that mix, particularly for journeys where walking, cycling or conventional public transport are not practical.”
The council said it will still be free to park on Sundays but there are no buses.
Drivers can also park for free after 4pm as long as they get a ticket.
Winchester City Council was contacted for a response.
A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.
Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.
It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street.
Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie.
Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.
Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”
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