The residents' permit scheme will cost £62 for an annual permit

ALMOST half of Weston town centre residents who replied to a survey about the council’s pay-and-display proposals are against the plans.

The survey was carried out in the town’s central ward by Cllrs Clare Kingsbury-Bell and Mike Bell, who represent the ward on North Somerset Council.

The plans, which could be introduced in September, would see pay-and-display meters and a hugely controversial residents’ permit scheme introduced on 27 town centre streets.

Cllrs Kingsbury-Bell and Bell sent out 500 surveys to affected households, and received 121 responses.

Of those asked, 46 per cent opposed the scheme, while a further 36 per cent supported the introduction of pay-and-display in principle, but not the proposed schemes.

Another 18 per cent were in favour of the council’s plans.

A huge 94 per cent said they believed the residents’ permit scheme was unfair.

Residents who replied were divided on the effect it would have on their street – 22 per cent said the scheme would improve matters, 41 per cent said it would make things worse and 37 per cent said it would make no difference.

A total of 88 per cent said the council should be responsible for enforcement of on-street parking charges.

Of the residents who replied, 77 per cent said parking was a problem in their street.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Bell said: “Residents are being forced to choose between moving house and paying the charges. “That is just not fair. The vast majority of residents opposed the planned scheme.

“Many are willing to support pay and display parking - but only if a fair deal is offered to residents living within the zone.”

He said they were urging residents to oppose the plans by commenting on the council’s formal consultation, which ends on July 6.