WINCHESTER traffic chiefs are set to clamp down on commuters using a car park at a beauty spot near the city.

City councillors are poised to approve limiting parking of only four hours at the car park on Garnier Road next to St Catherine’s Hill.

That would stop it being used for all-day parking and give more space to dog walkers, ramblers and people visiting nearby Hockley Viaduct.

The boss of the nearby PR firm, Remarkable, based on Garnier Road, says the change would have a big impact on many of his staff who would have to walk in the dark from the park and ride at Bar End.

Julian Isaacson told the traffic and parking committee in the spring that he would have to consider leaving Winchester if the plan goes through.

The city council consulted the public and got 70 replies with most, 59, favouring the option of four hours maximum stay.

The traffic committee meets on Monday (Sep8) with a recommendation to limit parking to four hours but keep it free.

The report said: “Officers acknowledge that restricting parking in Garnier Road car park will have some impact on businesses that use this facility for commuter parking.

“However the wider objective of promoting recreational use of the car park, combined with the council’s strategy for commuter parking (park and ride and other public parking closer to the centre) means that, on balance, the recommendation to limit parking to fours is recommended as before.”

The city council has already ended free parking at the Hillier Way car park in Abbotts Barton and along Five Bridges Road, St Cross.