FREE parking at Eastrop has been extended to the end of October, meaning families will be able to park there for free during the half-term holidays.

The borough council previously said the new parking charges would start after the summer holidays in September.

However, it has now been explained that this was an estimated date and that the charges will be implemented from Monday, October 31 to “ensure users have notice that the tariff is starting”.

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Residents and councillors fought a campaign to stop the borough council from implementing parking charges at Eastop Park.

Despite their efforts and more than 2,200 people signing a petition against the proposals, the borough council decided to introduce charges.

Users have just weeks left before parking charges are implemented for the first time in the park’s 50-year history. 

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This year marks 50 years since Eastrop Park first opened in 1972, as an open space for the community to enjoy for free.

But soon visitors will have to pay £8 to spend the day if they want to use the car parks.

The tariffs agreed by the council are free for the first two hours; £2 for two to four hours; £4 for four to six hours; £7 for six to eight hours; and £8 for more than eight hours.

Overnight charges from 7pm to 8am will cost £2.

The borough council held a public consultation on the plans to introduce charges, which just one person supported.

Despite making a decision in July, the borough council decided to suspend parking charges during the six-week summer holiday.

However, it said it has no plans to continue doing this in future school holidays.

Cllr Paul Basham, who represents Norden for Basingstoke and Deane Independent Group, launched the petition against the plans.

He previously said he was “disappointed” with the outcome and raised concerns about preventing free access to green space.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s head of environment and community services Tom Payne said: “The new tariff at Eastrop car parks – which includes two hours free parking – will apply from Monday 31 October. Signage has been installed at the car parks to advise users of this.”