Important Safety Update: Changes to Car Park Use at YMCA Eastleigh
Please be informed that we will be making a change to how the car park at YMCA Eastleigh Community Centre on Whieldon Way operates, in response to increasing congestion and safety concerns in the area.
From Monday 23 March 2026, the registration system for the car park will no longer be publicly available. Visitors will no longer be able to register vehicles using the tablet previously located in the café.
The car park will remain available for YMCA visitors, including our nursery families and those attending organised programmes and activities.
Why is this change being made?
Over recent years, traffic around Whieldon Way has steadily increased and traffic pressure around the area has increased significantly, particularly during peak periods.
This has led to situations where vehicles can become gridlocked around the YMCA entrance and surrounding roads, creating difficult conditions for staff, visitors, children and families moving through the area. On many occasions YMCA staff have had to step in to help manage traffic flow simply to keep vehicles moving safely.
Safety must come first
As a charity working with children and young people, YMCA Fairthorne Group has a responsibility to ensure that safety remains the highest priority across our sites.
The level of congestion experienced at times has created situations that are increasingly difficult to manage safely.
At a recent meeting of the Community Advisory Committee, it was agreed by all present – including local councillors, representatives from Eastleigh Borough Council, Stoneham Park Academy, YMCA and other community stakeholders – that we cannot in good conscience allow this level of risk to continue.
As a result, it was agreed that action should be taken to reduce the number of vehicles entering the YMCA car park during the busiest periods from Monday 23 March 2026.
Removing public access to vehicle registration is one of the few practical steps available to help reduce congestion entering the site.
While this change will not solve the wider traffic challenges affecting the area, it is expected to help reduce pressure on the car park and improve safety for everyone using the site.
What this means for YMCA visitors
The YMCA Eastleigh car park remains available for YMCA visitors, including:
- Nursery parents and carers
- YMCA community programme users
- Visitors attending meetings, activities or events
If you regularly visit YMCA Eastleigh, please ensure that your vehicle is registered with the YMCA ANPR system with a member of staff.
Nursery families will receive additional information explaining how to confirm their vehicle registration.
Working together as a community
YMCA Fairthorne Group recognises that this change may cause inconvenience for some members of the community. However, safeguarding the safety of children, families and visitors must remain the priority.
We will continue to work alongside local partners and stakeholders to support longer-term solutions for traffic management in the area.
