PARKING charges have been introduced on a Southampton road in the city centre.

Southampton City Council has this week introduced a number of changes to the parking arrangements on St Mary’s Road.

It comes after a public consultation and include the Zone 4 Permit Parking Bay outside the businesses on the west side of the street (property numbers 52-57), which has been amended to a Short Stay Pay and Display bay.

A loading bay has also been put in for goods vehicles which will support businesses in the area by improving access for deliveries and people visiting the businesses.

Pay and Display parking will apply in this location from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm, and on Sundays, Bank Holidays and Public Holidays between 1pm and 6pm. The charge is £1 per 30 minutes with a maximum stay of two hours.

This is in addition to the new 10-minute free parking tariff which was also recently introduced on St Mary’s Road and in the nearby Compton Walk Car Park.

As well as the new Short Stay Pay and Display parking, No Loading restrictions are now also being enforced on the east side of St Mary’s Road between Oxford Avenue and St Mary’s Fire Station entrance, and on Argyle Road between the two Fire Station entrances.

These restrictions will apply at all times and will help to keep the highway outside the fire station as clear as possible.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton said: “It is vital that our emergency services staff entering and exiting the Fire Station have unobstructed access to the building at all times.

"By providing a suitable alternative for visitors to the area, we can help to prevent parking outside the Fire Station while at the same time supporting businesses across the street.”