SOUTHAMPTON'S Labour council leader has publicly stated her administration has no plans for new charges for residents to park outside their homes.

However June Bridle again refused to scrap a controversial parking policy agreed last month to charge for all permits without guarantee of a space.

The policy provoked outrage among residents and led to the Daily Echo's campaign for a U-turn.

Cllr Bridle told the Echo the latest dispute was splitting hairs.

In a statement read to the council chamber Cllr Bridle said: "Let us be clear that no decision has been made on when and if the strategy, or any individual aspect of it, will be implemented.

"The policy sets out a broad approach that is essential to accommodate future development such IKEA and West Quay 3.

She added: "The part of the policy that has attracted the most attention has undoubtedly centred around the details on how residents parking could be managed, but I confirm that there are no plans for any new parking charges and that the overall policy for residents parking in Southampton remains the same.

"In parking zones, residents will still have the same conditions and enjoy the same benefit that are operating presently including free first permits and up to 60 free visit permits per year."

Cllr Bridle added any new zones would only be brought in after consultation.

She had previously ruled out any new charges for at least 12 months.

Her statement comes just days after one Cabinet member claimed the Tories had tricked the joint Labour and LibDem Cabinet into agreeing the parking policy.

The policy, which contains a list of detailed policy statements, also says the residents' parking schemes should be "self-funding".

Council transport chiefs have said they need to raise an extra £342,000 to make it pay for itself.

The Conservatives had been due to consider the parking policy but they were ousted from office in a budget row.

Councillor Matt Stevens, Cabinet member for children's services, wrote in an Internet blog: "The whole parking issue is a set up and the new Cabinet walked into it".

He added: "The fact the Conservatives made no comment on the final report or recommendations should have alerted the new Cabinet."

Cllr Stevens said the approved policy report was "accepted for further development" and that "no policy was set" or "made".

Tory transport spokesman Councillor Gavin Dick said: "He's admitting they didn't read the policy. It quite clearly states that residents will have to pay for parking permits.

"They really should read these documents and know what they are voting on. It is a question of judgement. Are they passing things without knowing what they are doing?"

The Tories have made an election pledged that they will not charge for a first permit in existing residents parking zones.