A new residents’ parking scheme is to be rolled out after councillors gave it the green light last week, despite concerns it would displace problems to surrounding roads.

Surrey County Council’s local committee met at Epsom town hall on Wednesday, January 25, to discuss phase six of the council’s parking plans – which covers scores of roads across the borough.

It is hoped the new scheme will help to improve road safety, access for emergency vehicles and refuse vehicles and ease traffic congestion.

Councillor Neil Dallen, residents’ association for Town ward, said: “It’s all gone ahead as planned although it has been a long time coming.

“There have been one or two slight changes but nothing of significance. There will now be displacement of commuters and shoppers who will have to find other places to park.”

Parking schemes selected are due to be introduced on a road by road basis it is hoped later this year and into 2013, but the council’s “piecemeal” approach has been criticised.

Councillor Julie Morris, leader of the Epsom and Ewell Liberal Democrats said: “I think the principal of the scheme is a good one.

“The problem we have with it as a group is because this is being done on a piecemeal basis with one road here and there and the knock on effects are just going to go next door. We are going to have more and more roads eventually that want residents parking schemes.”

Click here to download the report in full