HIGHWAY chiefs are poised to review their decision to levy new on-street parking charges in a Hampshire town.

The county council is concerned about the impact of the lockdown on shops in towns and cities across Hampshire, including those in the centre of Lymington.

Before the lockdown the county council unveiled proposals to abolish the current system in the High Street, where parking is free for the first hour.

Motorists were warned they would have to pay to park if their visit lasted longer than 30 minutes.

This week the Lymington Society urged the authority to think again in the wake of the lockdown and its impact on the retail sector.

In a statement Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: "The county council is prioritising economic recovery as we emerge from the coronavirus outbreak.

"We have already taken steps to help people go about key business during the outbreak, such as temporarily suspending parking enforcement action unless unlawful parking is causing a danger, and we are now starting to put in some additional walking and cycling measures across the county to support town centre businesses as they reopen with new social distancing measures in place.

“We are reviewing our approach on parking as travel demand is expected to increase when more shops and businesses open from 15th June.

"We will clearly need to consider the proposed introduction of on-street parking charges in this context, and will be responding to the business community and town council shortly.”