A COUNTY-wide residents parking scheme is to be introduced on the Isle of Wight.

The scheme would mean that some residents could see parking permit charges slashed from £80 per year to just £40. But Yarmouth residents would see their charges rise from £15 to £40 if the new scheme is given the final go-ahead.

Members of the Island council's executive committee heard that the new charging scheme would help to reduce parking problems experienced by some residents living in older houses which had no off-street parking.

The new approach would see a maximum of two permits issued to households at a cost of £40 each per year.

Opening the debate, the council's executive spokesman for transport, Councillor Ernie Fox, said some areas of the Island were "extremely challenged" when it came to finding a place to park.

He said: "There are lots of areas where people just cannot park."

He was backed by Councillor Roger Mazillius who said parking problems were particularly bad in commuter towns such as Cowes.

He said: "This is a sensible and fair solution to a real problem. People have been seen parking in the street, taking their luggage out of cars and going on a fortnight's holiday. When residents come back, they have to park in the car park and pay fees.

"I really do welcome this and the sooner we get going, the better."

The new scheme would operate from Mondays to Saturdays with limited waiting times being in force between 8am and 6pm. Permit holders would be excluded from the restrictions.

But Councillor Brenda Lawson warned that an element of flexibility should be built into the proposals,

She said: "Parking rage is a major problem in Ventnor. I can think of one road where people have come to blows over it. We don't have a daytime problem. We have an evening problem."