RESIDENTS will have a chance to comment on plans to solve the parking shortage in the centre of Swindon tonight.

Swindon Council has organised a series of public meetings as part of its review aimed at ending parking chaos in Eastcott, Lawn, Old Town, and Central wards.

Motorists have complained because although they pay £12 a year for a residents' parking permit, there aren't enough spaces to accommodate their vehicles.

At the last count, the council issued 4,592 permits although there are only 3,477 spaces.

The council is consulting people on whether to reduce the number of permits as well as find out what other parking problems there are.

The other options under consideration are: free or cheap night time parking in council-run car parks; ration permits to one a household; allocate visitor permits by household rather than by individuals; create pay and display areas in residential streets, with free area for permits holders.

The first public meeting will be held at the Civic Offices, Committee in Room six this evening at 6pm.

This meeting will only be for people who live in the following residents' parking zones zone B (the Railway Village area), zone C (the Chester Street area) and zone K (Dean Street area).

Details of meetings for people living in other zones will be confirmed shortly.