CONTROVERSIAL plans to sell reserved spaces to traders in a bid to solve Ringwood's long-stay parking crisis moved a step closer this week.

New Forest District Council's cabinet agreed to investigate introducing a fee-paying priority system in Ringwood for traders - despite a recent survey which revealed that the business community is divided about the idea and many remain unconvinced it is the best way forward.

Chairman of the town's chamber of commerce Nicki Wood said: "The survey wasn't a definite no-no - and some people said they would be happy to pay a charge for a guaranteed place.

"The important thing is that we keep talking and make sure we explore all the avenues we have available to us."

Ringwood Town Mayor cllr Michael Thierry revealed some traders have said they would be prepared to pay between £1 and £2 a day for a reserved space, at least a 100 per cent more than they pay under the existing parking clock scheme.

But he said the project could be stopped in its tracks if consultation revealed that there was not enough uptake from local businesses.

He added that marking out a separate area of reserved spaces could lead to problems reorganising the car park's layout and would lend itself to abuse unless it was properly policed.

"We do have specific problems and we do wish there was a universally acceptable resolution, but until then we have to keep looking at improving the situation with minor alterations," the mayor said.

The cabinet also agreed to scrap plans to stop commuters using the town as a park and ride base for getting to work in Bournemouth.

First published: Oct 8