PROPOSED city parking restrictions could win approval, despite objections from some residents.

Durham County Council's highways committee, which meets on Wednesday, will be recommended to introduce the third of three schemes in and around Durham city centre.

The Western Hill and Crossgate area is the last to get the controls, which are designed to discourage long-stay parking in residential streets, by workers and shoppers. They include pay and display charges, fixed daily charges and permit parking for residents.

Earlier this year, residents in some streets asked to be left out of the scheme proposed by county highways officials.

The revised proposals, which omitted streets including The Avenue, Lawson Terrace, Albert Street, Atherton Street and Back Western Hill, have also run into opposition.

People in South Street, who are due to get the restrictions, have lodged an 18-name petition saying that the street should be designated for residents'-only parking.

They claim that if meters are installed they may be forced to park elsewhere.

Objections have also been lodged calling for residents- only parking in Lawson Terrace and Hawthorn Terrace.

The City of Durham Trust is also opposing the proposals, saying that the street furniture, signs and markings are detrimental to the conservation area.

Trustees say they are particularly concerned about the size of parking meters and the locations chosen to site some of them.

Environment and technical services director Chris Tunstall says in a report to councillors that a previous ballot of South Street residents produced a majority in favour of restrictions.

The proposed pay and display scheme would allow permit holders to park, and others to park for short periods.

"It is considered that the restriction operates effectively and creates an increase in parking space availability."

The Hawthorn Terrace area was left out because the streets were not considered to be suitable.

"It is still considered that the restriction suggested by residents would be unacceptable."

Mr Tunstall also said in his report that the whole scheme for the area could be carried out sympathetically without conflicting with the conservation area status.

"Positioning of pay and display meters, road marking types and signing have been discussed with the city council conservation officer and are considered to be acceptable," he said.