Residents are becoming “prisoners in their own homes” because of car parking problems in Bracknell Forest, according to one councillor.

Labour member Mary Temperton last night (September 11) called for Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) to undertake a review of parking in the borough after suggesting it was “one of the main issues” concerning residents.

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According to Cllr Temperton, more cars are being forced on to verges in her Great Hollands North ward and elsewhere in the borough.

She said: “Many residents will not go out in the evening for fear of losing their parking space and having to spend an hour or so trying to find another.

“They say they are becoming prisoners in their own homes.

“I appreciate parking is not a service the council has to provide, but it is a key factor in supporting a harmonious community.

“A thorough review and report would at least show the residents the council is responding to for many, their most serious daily issue.”

Councillors clashed over the proposal of a full review into parking, as planning boss and Conservative councillor Chris Turrell reminded members of the “collaborative working” the authority is already doing to tackle this “major issue”.

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Through working with Silva Homes, the council has invested more than £200,000 in delivering additional parking on land owned by the housing association and BFC.

According to Cllr Turrell, this has resulted in more than 600 new parking spaces across 84 different locations.

The planning boss called for councillors to oppose the review as “this would not be a good use” of resources.

Liberal Democrats councillor Thomas Parker also refused to back the motion, suggesting the issue would be better examined through smaller forums such as the environment, culture and communities committee.

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Councillors refused the review after Conservative member Dale Birch said: “We know there’s a problem, we know how to sort it and we know how to engage with the public.

“I’m proud of the way this administration is grasping this.

“There is no need for another report – let’s get on with delivering the parking we have planned.”