THE major problems that lead hundreds of cars in Basingstoke housing estates to be parked on verges and pavements are to be investigated by Cabinet chiefs.

A meeting of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on Thursday night agreed that by the end of January next year, some ideas should be on the table about potential solutions despite a possible £9million price tag.

The move was triggered by Councillor Ian Powney, who represents the Popley East ward.

He put down a motion calling on the council to recognise that many residents cannot park close to their homes "causing both safety and environmental issues".

Cllr Powney said many residents think the council is "anti-car" in its policies and said this was a major factor in his defeat of then council leader Rob Donnelly at the election in June.

He told the meeting: "There is a lot of talk about being sympathetic, but the council is not doing anything about putting spaces in where they are needed. I think residents are right to be sceptical.

"What I'm looking for is real commitment to look at these issues on behalf of residents. I don't believe it needs to be a party political issue."

Cllr Powney's motion was seconded by Conservative environment spokesman Cllr Phil Heath, but Labour group members also spoke to back him.

However, the council's deputy leader, Cllr George Hood (Labour), said there was definitely no "anti-car" policy, but admitted a decision was taken last year not to increase residential parking because of the cost and Government objectives.

The meeting decided that funds should be sought for increased parking from housing associations, developers and Hampshire County Council, as estimates from January 2003 put the cost of measures at between £6m and £9m.

In agreeing to the move, Cllr Stuart Parker (Lib-Dem) - the Cabinet member whose portfolio covers parking - said: "I'm sure all members of the borough council are aware of the residents' issue with parking close to their homes."

But he said council policy already covered some of Cllr Powney's aims and stressed that the borough did not have the "direct responsibility" for parking that is afforded to housing associations and the county council.

He said officers had already been discussing the issues with these bodies.

He added that the problems stemmed from a failure to predict the rapid increase in car ownership when estates were built in the 1960s and 1970s.