THE COUNCIL is to review its decision on phasing out second permits for residential parking.

At a meeting of council cabinet members, coun-cillors were told a review of the phasing out of second permits for residents would be carried out six-months before being brought in.

This phasing out was one of a number of measures approved in a bid to improve the system of residents' parking.

There are around 7,800 households situated within residents' parking zones and there are 3,500 parking spaces.

But the council has issued more than 4,600 parking permits.

The price of a second permit will go up over the next three years from October.

However, the scheme has created opposition from local residents, many who claim they were not informed.

Coun Stan Pajak (Lib Dem Eastcott) questioned the viability of phasing out second permits and said that the side effects would be worse than the current problem.

He said: "Many people in this town have two cars, but do those living in the residents parking areas now have to sell their second car?"

Coun Jemima Milton (Con Wroughton and Chiseldon) said that it was not down to the council to make provision for the home-end of the journey and that it was down to residents to find parking for their second car."

As part of the report the cabinet also approved the introduction of a new resident's parking zone in the town centre where residents would be able to park at any time in the long stay car parks at a rate of £625 a year, or part-time from 6pm to 9am at £150 a year.

Anthony Osborne