PLANS to decriminalise parking in North Wiltshire moved a step closer last week.

Traditionally the police and their traffic wardens have been responsible for parking, but the Government is keen to devolve parking powers to local councils.

North Wiltshire District Council has approved the move in principle, which would mean that it would no longer be a criminal offence to park on double yellow lines.

The plans include a new study of the town's parking restrictions which, according to Coun Ross Henning, could lead to improvements in parking provision and ease gridlock in the town.

Coun Henning, who is Mayor of Chippenham, said: "I think it would be a very positive move for the town.

"Parking in the town is a nightmare and I would like to see more and better car parking provision in Chippenham.

"I don't think parking on a yellow line is a criminal offence.

"The police are busy enough as it is and should be concentrating on the real criminals."

Swindon and Salisbury have already made the change, and Coun Henning said North Wilts District Council could benefit from their experience.

He said the council would have to recruit its own car-parking attendants, but the scheme could be processed through Swindon's existing car-parking administration centre.

He said spin offs could include the introduction of properly enforced residents' permit schemes, which could help ease congestion.

Coun Henning said financial studies suggest that the scheme would eventually become self-sufficient, and any extra cash could be used to improve car parking safety. But he revealed that it was still unclear what the set up costs would be.

The mayor is hoping Wiltshire County Council will stump up most of the cash from funds set aside for local transport schemes. But he said the district council would probably have to pay for its new parking attendants' training and equipment.

Coun Henning said Kennet and West Wiltshire district councils are also keen to set up the scheme.

But he thought it could take between 18 months and two years before there is a new generation of council employed car park attendants in North Wiltshire.