ANGRY residents stormed out of a public meeting with borough council chiefs over Ellesmere Port's controversial residents' parking scheme.

Around 500 people staged a mass walk-out near the end of the two-hour meeting at the Civic Hall on Monday night, dissatisfied with the reaction they were receiving from the council representatives.

Council leader Reg Chrimes had tried to reassure the audience that the committees responsible for the introduction of the scheme would take residents' own proposals for the way it should operate into consideration.

But leading campaigner Gary Fallows said afterwards that many residents had lost confidence in the council and felt their views were not being heard.

Earlier on Monday campaigners caused traffic chaos to demonstrate against the scheme.

More than 40 vehicles circled the borough council offices during a go-slow protest at rush-hour.

This led to traffic congestion between 8.30am and 9am as campaigners used banners, balloons and car horns to get over their message.

The peaceful demo, which was watched by police officers, resulted in delays to public transport and motorists travelling along Whitby Road, Stanney Lane, Civic Way and Wellington Road.

Councillor Ian Ormerod, chairman of the residents' action group, said: 'We plan more action until the residents get the parking scheme they want and deserve.'

Sergeant Steve Bailey, from Ellesmere Port Police Station, said: 'From our point of view the protest passed off fine and there was no danger to motorists or pedestrians.

'We were made aware of the demonstration and it was arranged that the protest would be for half an hour, which everybody stuck to.

'The bus companies and emergency services were also made aware of what would be happening. As far as I'm aware there have been no complaints from the public.'

Television crews from Granada Reports were on hand to capture the scenes and a report on the demo appeared in Monday night's TV news bulletin.

Campaigners left unconvinced

RESIDENTS and businesses put forward demands for an improved parking permit scheme at a heated public meeting.

But, unhappy with the way borough council representatives were responding to the proposals, about 500 people stormed out of the meeting at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall on Monday night.

Although council officials confirmed they would look closely at residents' views when drawing up an improved scheme, campaigners remain unconvinced.

Councillor Jonathon Starkey, who was elected by both residents and businesses to speak on their behalf, revealed each group wants enough residents' permits to be able to park all their vehicles outside their house.

The public also want to increase the availability of fixed visitor permits to between three and five, if necessary, and are demanding that visitor scratch-cards are taken out of the scheme.

Under current proposals, the council would offer homeowners in all zones two fixed residents' permits and one fixed visitor permit. Businesses would be offered two permits which would not be specific to vehicle registrations.

Additional visitor permits, in the form of scratch-cards, would also be made available, with residents in the Fields and Vale areas of the town being offered a maximum of 25 free a year, while those in the Central zone would receive 50.

The council's head of property and support services Jane Williamson explained the reason Central would receive more passes was the longer opening times of the new Asda store.

Residents' leader Gary Fallows received a standing ovation from the audience after handing over to council representatives more than 1,000 signatures and views from people directly affected by the scheme.

Ward councillors Catherine Sherlock and Marie Lewis once again came in for criticism from residents for not attending any of their public meetings.

However, borough council leader Reg Chrimes jumped to their defence saying they had been pressing him for a long time to introduce a free residents' parking scheme.

A borough council spokesman said: 'All of the points made will now be carefully considered and new proposals drawn up to be discussed at the next meeting of full council on April 20.

Cllr Chrimes said after the meeting: 'We are very grateful to everyone who took the time to come along and give us their views. As promised, the council will now start work on a revised scheme which captures residents' proposals.

'It has always been our intention to listen closely to residents and create a residents' parking scheme that reflects their wishes and needs.'