A COMMUNITY is split over plans to introduce residents’ parking permits.

While half of those living in and around the Ellesmere Street area of Deane say they would be happy to pay an annual fee of £30 to park, the other half are fiercely opposed and say it won’t solve the problem and it won’t guarantee residents a parking space.

Those in favour have established the Yes to Permit Campaign Support Group (YPCSG).

The group has written to the council stressing its support for parking permits but asking that special dispensation be given for personnel such as social workers and other health care professionals that need to make visits to residents.

It has also suggested allocating different colour coded permits for visiting friends and family and those attending weddings and funerals at the area’s two mosques.

They complain existing limited parking is made worse by council workers and staff and students from nearby colleges taking up valuable spaces.

Additionally, they claim access points for the emergency services are restricted and bin collection routes are disrupted.

Those against the scheme claim the permits would create problems for the hundreds of worshippers who use the area’s two mosques.

Both groups have submitted petitions to the council.

A council spokesman said: “Consultation on the proposed permit scheme has now finished, and all the responses received will now be reviewed. A report to decide on the next steps will go before the Executive Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.”