CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert hundreds of parking spaces in Redlands into pay and display residents' permit bays were put on hold at a council meeting last night.

Following a 28 day consultation period that closed on June 9 and garnered 104 responses, Reading Borough Council defered making a decision until the next Traffic Management Sub-Committee on September 14.

Although varied in nature, many of the concerned residents writing to the Council expressed fear that the change could increase traffic as cars hunt for spaces and cause spillover parking in surrounding parts of the town.

One person wrote: “There is already considerable pressure on the limited parking available on Addington Road and surrounding streets immediately to the east of Alexandra Road in the daytime.

“The proposed scheme would exasperate the problem in these areas making an already difficult parking problem even worse.”

Another supported the proposed changes, arguing that paid parking for non-residents would keep spaces open for those living on the road.

They said: “Over the past 20 years parking around Reading has been a nightmare, even when residents can't park on their own road or own drive due to non-residents parking inconsiderately.”

The Council chambers were full at last night's meeting, with residents from Redlands, Whitley and many other Reading wards present and intent on pushing committee members on a topic that has long caused public controversy.

All 104 of the submissions received in the consultation recieved a response from Cris Butler who explained that the impact of the hospital on residents was a long standing and understood concern.

However, when one person wrote “Would like to object to all plans”, Mr Driver's team simply responded “This scheme is designed to help residents.”

The release of the consultation documents and pause of the proposals comes a week after 200 people gathered at a public meeting at St Luke's Church on Erleigh Road.

At the meeting Clare Goulbourn-Lay, who started a 2,000-strong petition by hospital staff against the changes, spoke in favour of an area-wide solution.

“Parking is something that needs to be properly managed,” she said.

“I really believe that these are not issues that any one group can settle.

“Decisions therefore need to be made between the university, the hospital (staff, visitors and patients), the Council and residents.”