PARKING problems in a south Swindon development that have dragged on for almost a year will be one step closer to being resolved, a councillor has said.

Swindon Borough Council's governing Cabinet are expected to discuss parking restrictions in East Wichel at a meeting later this month.

It comes ten months after more than 100 East Wichel residents met councillors to complain about parking restrictions that had left them fearful that visiting family members’ cars would be slapped with fines.

Under the restrictions, which were agreed when the development was initially conceived, residents were limited to an average of 1.5 parking spaces per household. Cars were prevented from parking on many streets in the area.

Following complaints, Swindon Borough Council lifted the parking charges. A public consultation was proposed, with residents quizzed about disabled bays, where more parking bays might be added and what restrictions might be placed on commercial vehicles using certain roads in East Wichel.

An event was held in June to gauge residents’ views on the options and borough councillors Nadine Watts and Jane Milner-Barry met with council officers and cabinet member Oliver Donachie last week to go through the findings.

Coun Nadine Watts said that, following the review, the majority of people were in favour of placing more car parking spaces on the wider roads in the area.

She said: “Residents are telling me that parking is becoming dangerous again.

“It’s really frustrating that it’s taken this long. It’s come to the time again where something needs to be done.”

A briefing note is being prepared ahead of the meeting of Cabinet on October 18, Coun Watts said. The issue is expected to be discussed at that meeting.