RESIDENTS controlled parking zones may be scrapped and replaced by parking regulations, councillors have been told. The suggestion came when members of North Herts District Council s Royston area committee were discussing next year s council budget. Park

RESIDENTS' controlled parking zones may be scrapped and replaced by parking regulations, councillors have been told.

The suggestion came when members of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee were discussing next year's council budget.

Parking regulations were seen as a "method of intervention" to prevent all-day commuter parking in residential areas.

It would mean that residents would be banned from certain areas during specific times but would see the dropping of having to pay for parking permits.

Parking permits were earmarked to rise from £39 to £52-a-year in budget options.

The council's transport portfolio holder, Cllr Richard Thake, told committee members, however: "This is not a panacea and it will still have an impact on residents.

He said that to control parking under regulations would be an "alternative method" to over-come commuter parking.

Cllr Thake stressed: "Controlled parking zones will not do it."

He continued that even an increase to £52-a-year in parking permits would not cover the costs of the scheme.

He said that he recognised that on the question of parking Royston had "a real problem".

But he did not rule out that there may be occasions when parking permits need to be introduced as a solution to problems in particular areas.

Cllr F John Smith pointed out that parking in Newmarket Road was "becoming dangerous" and it was the kind of area where "some sort of regulation' was needed.