Motorists in Wolverhampton could soon be made to pay to guarantee a space outside their homes under plans for a residents-only parking scheme in dozens of city streets.People living in 39 heavily-congested roads are set to be issued with parking permits as part of an idea by the council to address the problem. The permits could be introduced following complaints that some streets are regularly clogged up with cars belonging to shoppers and workers, leaving residents without anywhere to park outside their own homes.

Under the plans, residents would pay £40 for a year-long permit.

Jennifer Shaffery, aged 52, lives in Limes Road, Tettenhall, one of the streets earmarked for the charges.

She said today: “There isn’t a massive problem with parking outside my house.

“Even if the spot outside my house is taken, there’s always somewhere else in the street.

“We need to be consulted on this.”

There is currently only one residents’ parking scheme operating in Wolverhampton, which was introduced around Molineux on match days in 2003 after protests from residents about fans parking outside homes.

Currently the residents get their permits for free but under the new proposals, they will now be forced to cough up £10 to allow them to park on match days.

St Peter’s councillor Tersain Singh said forcing residents around the football ground to pay money to park when Wolves play at home was “disgraceful”.

“If people have more than one car, this is going to hit them hard,” he said.

“It used to be free, but now the council have said this. I am stunned.”

Both permit schemes are set to be discussed by members of Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet resources panel on Tuesday before consultation.

Council transportation officer Bob Barratt said permits would alleviate a lot of problems caused by drivers cluttering streets, leaving residents without a space.