A DOUBLE or even triple-decker car park could be the answer to parking problems in Ringwood and prevent the Furlong car park spreading over more green fields.

That is just one of the options put forward by Ringwood Town Council to cure the town's chronic shortage of long-stay car parking spaces, at a special meeting held last week.

The council agreed to ask New Forest District Council to carry out a feasibility study of decked car parking in the Furlong car park, but was eager to assure residents it would not support the construction of an enormous multi-storey car park in the town.

Ringwood Town Clerk Terry Simpson said: "The only way to get more car parking spaces is by Tarmacking over more green fields or going upwards.

"A decked car park would double or even treble the amount of long stay car parking spaces.

"But the council believes it is important to distinguish between a two or three decked car park and a great big concrete monstrosity of a multi-storey car park, which is not what it is suggesting."

The town's strategic position on the main thoroughfares between Bournemouth and Southampton and to Salisbury has put pressure on the car parks' long stay bays, with complaints from residents that people from outside of town are taking advantage of the district's low parking charges.

At first the town council proposed cutting the time cars are allowed to stay in the long-term spaces, but decided against this amid fears it would also penalise local people.

The town council has also asked the district council to review the layout of the existing car parks to maximise space and improve access, and look at a more market-related charging regime for long-stay car parking.

First published: September 8