A PARKING scheme has been approved in Worcester and the start date for the works has been confirmed.

Works will start for the residential parking scheme in the Arboretum on September 18 and is expected to last three weeks.

It is estimated the scheme will be in place from October 9, give or take a few days, which means residents will be able to park close to their homes from then.

Councillor Matthew Jenkins, who has been pushing for a parking permit scheme to be introduced in the Arboretum since 2018, said his plan would stop people from using the area as a free car park.

He said drivers use it as a free car park then go into town for shopping or work.

Cllr Jenkins said: “It took longer than planned, but glad that it is finally going ahead.”

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He said the new scheme will not solve all existing parking problems, as he described parking in the area a "complete nightmare" - however, it will help residents to park near their homes more often.

The permit plan will cover more than 1,200 homes, from the Arboretum and up to St. George’s Lane North,

Cllr Jenkins has spent £3,900 of his Highways Maintenance Fund and £6,000 from his divisional fund to pay towards the cost.

Residents had an opportunity to give feedback on the plans while it was in the public consultation.

This allowed them 28 days to comment on the plans and vote for or against the scheme.

Almost 61 per cent of residents returned their voting papers for the scheme and over 95 per cent said yes.

There were 742 returns in total, with 709 in support and 33 against.

Within the Arboretum there will be some additional double yellow lines at junctions, the removal of single yellow lines on Little Southfield Street and a change in the parking restrictions for all single yellow lines, with a removal of the restriction on Saturdays and Bank Holidays.

Having a permit allows a resident to park in any part of the scheme, not just on their road

It will cost £30 for the first permit, £40 for the second, £60 for third and £5 to replace the permit if it has been lost. Each household is allowed up to three permits.

Visitor scratch permits are available which lasts for 12 hours. Each visitor permit will cost £5 for ten cards (each card contains four permits).