QUESTIONS are being asked about where residents are going to park when a new permit scheme is introduced.

The row over parking in the Moorfields area of Hereford is heating up and residents fear the new permit zones will leave them with nowhere to park close to their homes.

The narrow streets on Moor Street and Prior Street means that parking is often at a minimum and residents have to seek an alternative.

However, with some nearby roads in a different parking zone, residents fear they will be left without a place to leave their car.

City councillor Paul Stevens said: “Moor Street, Prior Street and Edgar Street were built in the 1800s when car ownership was not at the level it is now.

"I have spoken to Herefordshire Council and they are aware that there are going to be issues in that zone which is the north end of the Widemarsh zone.

“In that zone there are simply not enough spaces for car ownership and it will push people to park on the College Estate.

“Also, Edgar Street is not included in the permits at all so where are they going to park?”

As part of the current consultation residents are being asked their opinion on turning Prior Street, which is currently a one-way road, into a cul-de-sac with a turning circle and passing places.

The amount of parking spaces would be reduced from 27 to 20 if the cul-de-sac is implemented.

“The majority of residents are happy to have a cul-de-sac and a two-way cycle lane as the reason being is their road comes out onto Edgar Street opposite the new link road so it would be safer,” added Cllr Stevens.

Tony Walls, a Prior Street resident, added: “Our problem is not really shoppers or commuters parking here and taking our spaces it is mainly local residents who don’t have parking spaces on their street.

“Moor Street simply doesn’t have enough parking so they use Prior Street.

“Whatever we do now will be like this for a long period of time and we are going to have to wear what we agree to.”

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said the "demand for on street parking in many residential streets is in excess of the available kerb-space".

"The designs for the residents’ parking scheme aim to maximise the available space and offer the greatest flexibility possible to residents without reducing the current space available," the spokesman added.

“Alongside this, proposals on Prior Street are being considered to enable a contraflow cycle way.

“There are a number of different designs for the contraflow, including options that will retain the current number of parking spaces and options that will see a reduction. Residents will be given the opportunity to select on their preferred option.”