Winchester residents are waiting years for the city council to tackle potentially dangerous parking problems near their homes.

Staff and money shortages at the city council means that traffic regulation orders are taking up to two years to process.

A council report shows that there are 12 waiting restriction schemes going back nearly two years.

Most have been requested by residents to counter bad parking.

They are, in Winchester: Gordon Road, Parchment Street, Ranelagh Road, St Catherines Road, Staple Gardens, Station Road, and Stuart Crescent; and in Bishop's Waltham: Albany Road, The Avenue, Victoria Road, Eastways and Tangier Lane.

Councillor Georgina Busher, who represents Bishop's Waltham, said she knew of delays going back five years. "People are parking on corners in rural villages. What happens when the emergency services are needed?

"Cars are being bumped on to pavements, sometimes people can't get out. Residents can get extremely shirty.

"These are major inconveniences and potential hazards. That is why people want this backlog cleared," she said.

Councillor Patrick Davies said: "We are pressed to make sure traffic regulation orders are running efficiently. All the evidence is that they are not."

Alan Jowsey, head of traffic and transport, said: "Progress has not been as rapid as was hoped. Staff and financial resources are causing the restrictions."

Mr Jowsey said staff were frequently diverted to working on temporary road closures for such things as roadworks.

Councillor Busher said the time had come to take on extra temporary staff to clear the backlog.

Winchester Council has responded by confirming it is considering requesting more funding from Hampshire County Council, the authority that actually foots the bill for the work.