HASLEMERE'S persistent parking problems could soon be addressed as part of a new initiative by Waverley Borough Council.

A full assessment of the town's parking provision is due to take place as part of Waverley's parking management plan.

The plan, in conjunction with Surrey County Council, is to improve the management of on and off-street parking across the borough as well as taking into account how new housing developments can affect parking levels.

But the plan has attracted criticism from the town council for being "confusing" and failing to address the issue of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ).

Calls for CPZ in Haslemere have long been considered a priority, particularly in roads near Haslemere Station such as Weydown Road, Derby Road and Kings Road, which are consistently clogged with commuter traffic.

Although Surrey County Council has planned a review of the town's parking in preparation for the implementation of CPZ, so far Haslemere has been overlooked for funding to make it possible.

The town council, which has been asked for its input on the parking management plan, is unconvinced that the scheme is the best approach for tacking the problems.

In its formal response it urges Waverley not to lose sight of the importance of CPZ and to make it a priority of the plan.

The chairman of Haslemere Town Council's planning and highways committee, Michael Biddiscombe, is also concerned that a borough-wide initiative will not focus sufficiently on the problems affecting Haslemere.

He added that the area of the town earmarked to be incorporated in the plan is too limited.

"The plan seems to be a very strategic approach and borough-wide," he said.

"It might be like looking down a telescope the wrong way. I'd really like to see Haslemere reviewed on its own and I would like to see the CPZ pursued as quickly as possible.

"Overall, I find this plan very confusing. It doesn't seem to take CPZ into account at all and if it's not even mentioned, I fear that it will not be included for some time."

As part of Waverley's plan, towns across the borough would be categorised into parking zones from one to four, with one representing a regional or major town centre and four describing an outer residential area.

The category would have a bearing when determining the number of parking spaces provided for a new development.

Haslemere is classified as zone three along with Farnham, Cranleigh and Godalming.

"As I understand it, the plan aims to reduce parking spaces where there is greater development," said Mr Biddiscombe.

"I don't really think it is the answer. It isn't clear where the cars would go instead.

"It also tempting to focus on the obvious roads such as those by the station, and lose sight that we have parking problems all over Haslemere.

"If you go along Lion Lane you're weaving your way around parked cars. The problem is everywhere."

Mr Biddiscombe has renewed calls for the provision of a multi-storey car park on land at Haslemere station as a way of dealing with the problem of excessive commuter parking on residential roads.

The idea was put forward by South West Train two months ago. Although there is insufficient land to expand the car park, the train operator is considering adding a second tier to one of its two existing car parks.

"I really think this would be very useful. Up to 150 parking spaces could be made available this way," said Mr Biddiscombe.

"It would also mean that you would be justified in criticising people who continued to park in residential roads. At the moment, it would be difficult to tell anyone off for doing this when there is nowhere else for them to go.

"Weydown car park is always full."

A spokesman for Surrey County Council confirmed that the possibility of implementing CPZ in Haslemere could not be considered until the issue of whether or not to adopt a decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) across the borough has been fully addressed.

The DPE would allow local authorities to enforce on-street parking regulations in place of the police. At present, any driver who breaches an on-street parking regulation could be guilty of a criminal offence.