PLANS to ease congestion in Southampton city centre by creating a park-and-ride site at Stoneham have come under fire from civic chiefs in neighbouring Eastleigh.

The city council wants to delete a site south of the M27's Stoneham interchange from the strategic gap between Southampton and Eastleigh and has allocated it as public open space with a park-and-ride site in the draft of its planning blueprint for the city.

But neighbouring Eastleigh councillors have agreed to object to the move.

They say it is misleading to label the land public open space if a park-and-ride is to be introduced. No details have been given about minimising the visual impact of the proposal and the councillors say that the land should remain protected.

Speaking at a meeting of Eastleigh's executive cabinet, Councillor David Airey said: "I know Southampton is very keen to look at park-and-ride sites as a way of reducing traffic congestion in the city centre.

"I think if people are going to look at other ways of travel, then park-and-ride has to be part of that package."

He added: "When it starts to hit our own boundaries I hope that they would be happy to discuss those sites with us.

"Obviously, we don't want a solution for traffic problems within the city boundaries to create new traffic problems within our own borough. Real partnership is really important to solve that sort of problem."

Eastleigh's head of planning policy Cliff Bowden said park-and-ride schemes could be very successful - but it was critical to choose the right site at the right location.

Referring to the Stoneham proposal and another at Windhover, Bursledon, he added: "We haven't seen any technical work that justifies those sites as working well for Southampton."

Councillor Marilyn Birks said she was "particularly concerned" about the strategic gap but called for Eastleigh and Southampton to work in partnership on a range of issues.

"I do sincerely hope we can make moves to develop these positive partnerships."