DRIVERS could face congestion charges in Winchester under new proposals if plans to cut city centre traffic fail.

It comes as Hampshire County and Winchester City councils launched a consultation over proposals for the Winchester Movement Strategy.

The document suggests measures to cut city-centre traffic and improve air quality.

They include:

l Increasing capacity for park and ride services;

l Giving buses priority over cars through measures such as bus gates in Southgate Street and Chesil Street;

Traffic in Winchester, stock picture. Traffic in Winchester, stock picture.

l Consolidate parking in larger out-of-city-centre car parks;

l Enhancing cycling and pedestrian routes;

l Changes to parts of the one-way system such as two-way traffic between Friarsgate and Easton Lane, allowing drivers in and out of the city without having to circle around the entire system.

If those measure fail to improve congestion in the city, a range of charging zones “could be considered”.

The strategy is being put together to help shape transport in the city over the next 20-30 years. Following the consultation, which runs until January 13, a final document is expected to be published next spring.

The current proposals follow a study of movements around the city, with more than 2,000 people have sharing their views as part in the process.

It found there were 16,000 daily commuter journeys into the city by car, with 20,000 people commuting to Winchester each day.