Southampton park and travel hub revealed

Plans for a park and travel scheme aimed at reducing car journeys into Southampton have been revealed.

Motorists would park their vehicles at Lances Hill Car Park in Bitterne and then use bikes, e-scooters or public transport to travel to the city centre.

Southampton City Council said the scheme would "provide sustainable alternative ways to travel".

Opposition councillors have criticised a lack of public consultation over the plans.

The six-month pilot project is expected to start later this year, though the cost to users has not yet been revealed, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Labour-led council said Lances Hill Car Park provided "a convenient location for the proposed hub".

But local residents fear it would increase traffic, pollution and anti-social behaviour.

Rebecca Tilley, from Bitterne, said: "Normally a park and ride is in the suburbs. This is a residential area."

Dan Fitzhenry, leader of the opposition, called for the whole city to be consulted.

"I understand the residents' frustration," he said, adding: "We will support them to ensure that any plans has a proper scrutiny."

The scheme comes as e-scooters are due to be launched for hire in the city, via a smartphone app, as part of a trial from 18 March.

The first in a network of park-and-ride stations across Southampton at the Bargain Farm site in Nursling has also been agreed and is due to open in summer 2022.

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