NEW parking systems coming into force at a popular Hampshire park could spell the end for the community sports teams that call it their home.

Hundreds who use Royal Victoria Country Park as part of Chamberlayne Athletic Football Club and Locks Heath Cricket Club on a weekly basis are now facing hundreds of pounds in parking charges.

Hampshire County Council, who run the park grounds, have introduced automatic number pate recognition cameras, meaning the teams and their players – who are currently exempt from charges – will now have to pay.

Members of the clubs met on Saturday having attempted to speak to the council about the charges in a bid to reach a compromise.

Committee leaders say they are open to paying a reduced fee to park – adding that they maintain the land they use to play on.

Adam Smith, who looks after the operations of Chamberlayne Athletic, said he didn’t understand why the council would want to “effectively end local sport in the area”.

Adam, 34, said: “Why would they not want to sit down and speak to us? Instead, these youngsters are going to be sat at home and will end up costing the NHS.

“We are happy to pay some money – but the amount they are saying will cost the club about £60 for every training session.

“It isn’t sustainable for us, and for matches on the weekends, it would be even more.”

For a day’s parking, the park charges £5, and for up to an hour, it is £2, with an extra pound paying for two more hours.

The county council’s member for culture, recreation and countryside, Sean Woodward, said he had been in touch with the clubs, who then rebuffed his efforts to open a dialogue.

He said: “I have been in touch, more specifically with the cricket club I believe, and I said that I was open to form a constructive dialogue, or words to that effect, but they said they didn’t want an open dialogue, they just wanted free parking.

“I am hoping that we can sort something out if possible.”

Simon Clifford, who organises a T20 cricket league at the ground, said they were happy to hand the ground over to the council if they would maintain it to the same standard.

He said: “We don’t want charity, we just want some support from the council. Sport has been here for years and we are facing the end of that. We are happy to pay, but we can’t afford all of it.”