PARKING charges could soon make a shock return to the New Forest, after the district council announced it was turning to local residents for help in tackling its spiralling road traffic crisis.

The authority is to launch one of its biggest-ever consultation exercises later this month amid growing concerns about pollution, abandoned vehicles, parking shortages and road congestion across the area.

And council leader Cllr Simon Hayes said it was vital people make their views known on the issue, warning: "We don't have the option of doing nothing."

The current Conservative administration ditched parking charges in towns such as Ringwood, Fordingbridge, New Milton and Lymington when it came to power in 1999, overturning the controversial pay-and-display scheme introduced by the Liberal Democrats just a few years' earlier.

But a recent survey conducted in parts of the Forest revealed that traffic levels are expected to increase by 50 per cent before 2020.

Widespread concern has already been shown about the abuse of existing waiting restrictions and the difficulties faced by residents in both on- and off-street parking, while new government proposals to decriminalise parking offences means the district council will be required to enforce them.

A raft of suggestions has been drawn up by council experts to address the problem - most crucially, a "clock" system which would bring back parking payments.

This would give residents, workers and other regular visitors the option to pay for parking on an annual basis, while a pay-and-display scheme would apply to everyone without a clock.

Cllr Hayes said: "There are lots of reasons why we must urgently review road traffic management in the New Forest.

"Latest available statistics predict huge increases in traffic which, of course, leads to deteriorating air quality. More unwanted vehicles are also being dumped, spoiling many of the Forest's beauty spots.

"It is vital that everyone who cares about the future transport needs of our area has their say. We want town and parish councils, business groups and others to express their views and put forward suggestions that would improve the situation."

Feedback forms will be included in the next edition of the council's Forest News magazine, distributed to every household at the end of the month.