PEOPLE are being invited to have their say about proposals for a new permit parking scheme in part of Leicester.
Leicester City Council has drawn up a scheme that would cover nine streets in the Highfields area.
It follows complaints from residents and local councillors about the number of commuter and business vehicles using on-street parking in residential streets for free all-day parking.
Under the proposal, households will be required to pay £35 a year for each vehicle to be allowed to park in the designated streets. Vehicles parked without a permit will be fined.
Around 540 homes and businesses would be affected under the proposed scheme.
The following streets would be included in the proposed scheme: Earl Howe Street, Evington Street, Gospall Street, Guthlaxton Street, Oxendon Street, Oxendon Walk, Sparkenhoe Street, Stoughton Street South and Twycross Street.
The city council is now inviting people to have their say on the proposals by completing a simple survey.
If given the go ahead, a formal consultation as part of the statutory Traffic Regulation Order process will be carried out.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “Where we have introduced residents’ parking schemes in other neighbourhoods, they have been an effective way of tackling parking problems freeing up spaces for the people who live there.
“We now want to hear from the people that this latest proposed scheme will affect.”
Under the city council’s current parking permit scheme, charges will be £35 per year for a residents’ permit; £100 per year for a business permit tied to a particular vehicle, and £150 for a business permit that can be transferred between vehicles. Visitor permits are available for residents, at either £40 for a year, or £2 for 24-hours. Permits for landlords and carers are also available. Vehicles displaying a blue badge will be exempt from the permit holders only restriction.
People can take part in an online survey at consultations.leicester.gov.uk
Paper copies of the survey have also been sent to all homes and businesses in the area.
A public drop-in event will also be held at St Peter’s Highfields Church, 2 St Peters Road, on Thursday 12 November, from 2-6.30pm.
The closing date for comments is Monday 7 December.