HEREFORD residents say they are facing hundreds of pounds worth of parking costs after being excluded from a county council permit scheme.

Edgar Street residents will be left with no free nearby on-street parking spaces when changes to Herefordshire Council’s permit scheme come into force in December.

Lisa Sullivan, whose property is affected, has been parking for years on Prior and Moor Street just around the corner from her house – but the changes mean she will not be allowed to park there between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Saturday.

“For us, this is an issue of fairness,” she said.

“The council has suggested we purchase a permit for their Merton Meadow carpark at the cost of £750 per year.

“The cost of the permits that the council are offering our neighbours is just £30 per year.

“It would appear we are being penalised for living a few yards around the corner from our neighbouring streets.

“In the 12 years that this property has been in our family we have never had an issue when it comes to parking.

“The only time it has proven difficult is when there is a football match on or a service at the church.”

She said she did not oppose the new parking scheme but wished she was not sidelined and ignored.

“There has been zero compromise from the council for the few of us that find ourselves in this situation.

“There are a large number of properties in the neighbouring streets that have access to a driveway or private parking and they will also be eligible to apply for a permit to park on the street, plus a visitor’s permit.

“Yet we are not given the option of even one permit.

“We feel hugely let down by the council and Balfour Beatty and despite having the support from our councillor, Polly Andrews, our concerns are continually being ignored.”

Ms Sullivan said she had also written to MP Jesse Norman and said she would continue to stand up for fairness and equality.

David Matthews, who is also affected, said the changes were farcical and totally unfair.

“We’ve just been left out,” he said.

“If I had known I could not park, I would have never bought the house.

A council spokesperson said there has been growing concern over commuter parking which can reduce the availability of on-street spaces for residents near the city centre.

“Residents in selected streets were surveyed to establish if they would support permit parking and waiting restrictions,” she said.

“2,595 households and organisations were surveyed as part of an initial informal consultation, followed by a formal period of consultation.

“Through this process, residents of a number of streets where parking availability is limited requested the introduction of resident permit parking.

“In Prior Street, restrictions operate Monday–Saturday, 9am-5pm, and one hour short stay parking facilities will be available 9am-8pm all days intended in part to assist elderly or disabled residents who may be dependent on visitors or carers for support.

“Non-resident parking is available in the resident permit zone outside of these times. Season tickets are available for nearby council car parks providing discounted parking rates.”