RESIDENTS on one Leominster street told the town council that they are in desperate need of access to parking spaces outside their homes.

The Hereford Times previously reported how parking permits were to be introduced in several parts of the town but plans were shelved due to changes with Herefordshire Council’s highways contractor.

Leominster Town Council heard last week that plans were ongoing to put the measures in place, but frustrated South Street residents said they thought it had come too late.

Councillor Pauline Davies, who also lives on South Street, said after last week’s meeting: “We feel we should have been first to get it done because they put car parking charges on the Leisure Centre which caused people to park on South Street.

“They also put parking charges in at the school and we have got the hospital in between and wouldn’t park there, so it’s absolutely impossible.

“It’s a nightmare and we find ourselves looking through the window to see when there’s a space. The cars are parked as far as the brow of the hill up towards the cemetery. The charges should never have been put in place in the first place.”

Permits will be introduced on several roads in the town in a bid to curb the problems that residents are facing.

Affected roads include Bargates, South Street, Coningsby Road and Westfield Walk although there are several more.

Residents will pay £30 for two parking spaces, £75 for three and £100 for five spaces.

Cllr Wayne Rosser welcomed the news that plans are now underway after working with residents for some years.

He said: “It’s what the people wanted so that’s what I have been fighting for. I’m extremely happy that things have eventually moved on.”

Cllr Felicity Norman said the delays had been “very frustrating” for everyone.

She said the scheme will have to go through a legal process but it could still be some time before it is formally introduced.

Any residents interested in finding out more about parking permits can call Cllr Rosser on 01568 613798.