Portsmouth Port's discretion on parking charges

Instead of charging all drivers who park up, Portsmouth Port is to target those that leave their trucks in the port for several days. Last month the port revealed plans to charge all trucks £6 after eight hours, but ferry port manager Phil Gadd says the aim is not to target those drivers waiting for a container to come in on a ferry. "We've always had the ability to charge people who park up for extended periods at the port, but we've never done it.

"This measure is not designed to make life difficult for our regular drivers. However there are shunters who come to the port to tip a trailer, but then park up and take the ferry to France for the weekend. This clogs up the port and prevents us from doing our business - and these are the people we are targeting." Gadd adds: "We will be selective as to who we charge and will use our discretion, particularly when a ferry is running late and drivers are forced to wait for their containers."

He adds that there is a truck park five miles up the road that drivers can use if they want to park up for extended periods. Subcontractor Edward Sullivan, who picks up containers at the port five days a week, says the port has made a sensible decision. "I wouldn't have been able to afford the charge. My margins are so tight that spending £30 a week on parking is not an option."