AN Eastleigh hairdressing boss has launched a petition as the town's new parking meters have been hit with waves of protest.

Don Greening, pictured right, the owner of the High Street salons of Charlie Girl and Dee Gees, says that charging motorists to park in the two main shopping streets is driving customers away.

Pointing to the empty car parking spaces, he said: "It is clearing the streets and clearing the tills."

Motorists have to pay 30p for a maximum stay of 30 minutes in Market Street and High Street.

Traders warned that the move would hit trade because free short-term parking was a magnet that drew people to Eastleigh.

However, since the meters were introduced early last month Mr Greening says that takings have gone down. And other businesses in the town have also been hit.

Mr Greening said: "Half an hour is not long enough for anyone and it is driving business away."

He said that his customers' appointments ranged from half an hour to up to three hours for a perm.

It is a concern shared by his customers and in just a few days he has collected about 300 signatures for a protest petition which he is handing to the council.

Mr Greening has warned that Eastleigh could become a ghost town if the parking meters drive away shoppers.

Commenting on the empty parking spaces a council spokesman said: "It is quieter at the present time because road works are currently taking place in Leigh Road."

The spokesman said that for the last 25 years parking in the main shopping streets had been restricted to no more than 30 minutes waiting in any one hour.

"They are exactly the same as they were before. The only change is that now you have to pay to park.

"The council is constructing a new short-stay pay and display car park off Wells Place. This will allow parking for a maximum of two hours."