Southampton City Council has suspended parking on Commercial Road.

Parking spaces on the busy road outside the entrance to Southampton Central Library have been coned off, with the parking metres covered and displaying a "no parking" sign.

The council says it is a temporary measure due to the increase in the number of buses using the road due to diversions caused by the Christmas market and the Civic Centre junction road works.

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Parking cones have been installed on Commercial Road (Image: Matt Davey) Reacting to the news, taxi driver and Unite Union shop steward, Perry McMillan said: “I think it's restricting if motorists are no longer able to park on Commercial Road.

“There are around 1,500 private hire vehicles in Southampton and if all these vehicles are driving into the city and have less places to park, where are they expected to go?

“However, I do share some sympathy with bus drivers as they need to be able to get around efficiently and not get blocked if they're driving down the road.”

Shirley resident, Tony Weafer, uses the bus service to travel Central Library. He told the Echo he was surprised parking had been suspended in Commercial Road.

He said: “I'm surprised the parking area has been removed as it's the only place to park there for people who use the library and even Citizens Advice [Bureau], which is also located inside the building. I think it's a critical parking area for the community."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “With the temporary diversion routes in place for the Civic Centre junction and the Christmas Market, there has been a significant increase in the number of buses using Commercial Road.

“Parking bays on Commercial Road have been suspended while the diversions are in place to facilitate easy access to the bus stops and to reduce the impact of parking vehicles on bus operations.

“The bays will be reintroduced when the diversions end. Alternative parking facilities are available in the Civic Centre or West Park Road car parks.”

It's understood the Civic Centre junction roadworks could be completed as early as Friday, December 20, with Southampton City Council reviewing the work's progress.