MORE than £12,000 is to be spent in three streets to improve short term parking facilities.

The scheme, which could be established as early as April would see ticket machines installed in Wood Street and Market Square to help businesses and residents with short-term car parking spaces. Another meter will go in at Sanford Street in the town centre.

Enforcement of the scheme would be through the town's existing parking attendants.

Councillor Fionuala Foley (Con Old Town and Lawns) welcomed the idea.

She said: "Although there has been only one hour parking in Wood Street it was hard to enforce because there is no record to prove how long they have been there. So some people would park there for quite a few hours at a time."

"This way we hope to get the passing trade, so if people see something they want, they can just pull up pay for half an hour rather than go and drive around and find a car parking space.

"It will be a good way of encouraging people into Old Town."

Last year, the council asked traders and local people their opinions on metering in the street.

Drivers will pay 40p for up to 20 minutes with a maximum stay of one hour available in Sanford Street.

While in Wood Street and Market Square, parking would cost 30p for 30 minutes with a maximum stay of one hour.

The drivers will pay using several solar powered ticket machines.

Richard Deacon, chairman of the Old Town Business and Professional Association said: "We want to encourage shoppers to use the parking facilities as opposed to people parking in the street for several hours without penalty.

"This is all about increasing the turnover of cars in this area. It tends to be those with four wheels that bring the trade into Old Town because we are at the top of a hill and accessibility is not always easy."

A small number of parking spaces were lost when the core area of Old Town was re-developed with new homes and shops. It is hoped the new scheme will improve the situation.

Antjony Osborne