WINCHESTER civic chiefs are set to back a traffic scheme in Alresford that aims to alleviate its parking problems.

The city council is proposing to put forward £50,000 towards the £150,000 cost of the Putting Pedestrians First scheme in Alresford.

Alresford Town Partnership has proposed putting in a public footpath across Perins School and building 70 long-stay parking spaces at the school.

The city council Cabinet, which meets today is being urged to include the project in its capital programme.

Concern has been growing about the number of cars that circulate around the town looking for somewhere to park.

The town council and chamber of trade is worried that it is deterring shoppers from the market town.

The idea is that the extra spaces at Perins will be for people working in the town so freeing up space for shoppers and visitors.

Although the land at Perins is technically playing fields it is in effect redundant land. A planning application for the change is due next month.