A SOUTHAMPTON group is urging civic chiefs to create Park and Ride facilities around the city, in a bid to reduce traffic and improve air quality.

Southampton Liberal Democrats says it wants the city to follow in the footsteps of Portsmouth, Winchester, and Salisbury who have the facilities which are used by locals and visitors.

Nevertheless, the council says plans are already on the table to do this, as part of its Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The public consultation for which ended on Tuesday. Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Southampton City Council’s transport chief and deputy leader said: “We have set out our plans to establish a network of Park and Ride sites that serve the city and its large employers in our new draft Local Transport Plan, Connected Southampton 2040.

“The consultation on that plan has now closed and I would like to thank the 1,395 people that have given us their views.”

The Labour member added: “We will now be analysing the results and publishing our findings before we put the finalised plan into action.”

It comes as the authority also prepares to release its plans for a city-wide Clean Air Zone.

Daily Echo: Southampton

The city council has been tasked by government to reduce its nitrogen dioxide amount to the EU-imposed level of below 40 micrograms per cubic air metre by 2020. It is currently 42 micrograms.

If the target is not met, a “huge fine” will be billed to the local authority.

Ideas floated include a £100-a-day city-wide commercial vehicle charging zone. This, civic chiefs say, will allow it to meet the level “in the quickest possible time” – the wording set out by Westminster.

Environment spokesperson for the Lib Dems, Alexander Clifton-Melhuish, said: “Southampton desperately needs to tackle its poor air quality.

“However, it is abundantly clear that the Labour-run council is pursuing a clean air strategy that will, at best, just about meet legal minimum requirements, whilst offering workers, visitors and residents few viable alternatives to driving into the city centre.

”Liberal Democrats demand better than the timid proposals laid out by Labour in the Clean Air Zone consultation.

”Rather than charging some vehicles to drive in the city, as Labour are planning, we believe the Council should offer a viable, affordable alternative to drivers.”

As part of their campaign, the group has also launched a petition.

It comes just weeks after plans for a 1,000 space Park and Ride for Southampton hospital staff were submitted.

Situated in Nursling, the facility will also house a health campus, which will train the next generation of medical professionals.