From the Bristol Evening Post
Fed-up residents are calling for parking restrictions on roads near Bristol Parkway Station to stop commuters' cars clogging their streets.But the plan to introduce a two-hour limit on roads in Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke could hit them in the pocket, as they may end up having to pay for parking permits.
More than 600 people signed a petition presented to South Gloucestershire Council, demanding action to stop people driving into the area and leaving their cars there for more than eight hours.
Residents say rail passengers are parking in residential streets to avoid paying high parking charges at Parkway Station, where commuters have complained to the Post of problems finding spaces at peak times.
Locals say some people who work in Bristol also drive into the area and leave their cars before sharing a lift into the city centre.
Stoke Gifford councillors have welcomed proposed parking restrictions and say they hope they can be brought in early next year.
Councillors Mike Cranney and Justin Howells said: "Because of the significant rise in traffic and parking problems in this area we have called for an independent traffic study to determine and identify the problem areas.
"We have also asked highways officers to draw up measures to deal with the problems.
"An increasing number of commuters are daily parking their cars in residential areas and parking areas intended for local shopping.
"We have, as ward councillors, remained strongly opposed to the gridlock and parking problems that have affected the lives of residents in this area."
Any controlled parking system would need a residents' zone to ensure locals are exempt from the two-hour limit.
It is not yet known whether people would have to pay to park outside their homes.
In some areas of the country permits for one car are free but elsewhere charges range from ú5 to ú300 a year for one car and up to ú450 for a second.
In Bath & North East Somerset residents pay ú55-ú66 for the first and ú82 for the second pass, while a new permit scheme proposed for Bristol could see residents pay ú40 for one car, ú240 for two and ú740 for three.
This month, South Gloucestershire Council announced plans to build a 240-space park and ride close to Parkway station.
Brian Allinson, executive councillor for planning and highways, said the area around Bristol Parkway Station would be looked at by highways officers.
He said consultations would take place early next year to look at measures that could be put in place.
Mr Allinson said: "This could now be a realistic proposal following our decision to go ahead with a park and ride at Bristol Parkway.
"This will provide extra parking near the station and reduce the pressure on surrounding roads."