DRIVERS clocking on to the New Forest's controversial pay-and-display parking system could face increased charges next month.

The £5 parking "clocks" annual season tickets have been available since January when free parking in district council car parks was axed. More than 60,000 have been sold to residents, shoppers, workers and holiday visitors.

But the clocks have met with mixed reaction from the public used to free parking in the district.

And Hampshire County Council, which always argued the £5 clocks were too cheap, wants the cost increased by £1 when the district council considers the results of its six-month review of the scheme.

New Forest District Council's director of resources Chris Malyon said: "The clocks are extremely cost-effective, but there was concern before we started out and we had a lot of feedback about the changes, both positive and negative.

"The purpose of the review was to see the impact the charging regime had on traffic flows in car parks and it certainly had a more significant impact on some than others."

The parking clocks consist of a clock face where drivers can mark the time they park at before leaving the card on the dashboard where it can be seen by car park attendants.

They represent the first phase in the district council's plans to introduce car parking charges in the New Forest, which will culminate in the local authority fielding its own traffic wardens and possibly the introduction of residents-only parking permits.

Clocks are available at council offices, information and visitor centres across the district.

First published: August 13