Residents living in the town centre parking zone could buy two permits — the first costing £10 a year and the second £25.

The permits would be displayed on car windscreens, allowing users to park in on and off-street spaces in the zone without being fined.

The proposals follow a questionnaire being delivered to 1,200 town centre homes.

Only 94 responses were received, but the council say this equates to 24 per cent of households in the area with access to a car.

A consultation report highlighted ‘genuine dissatisfaction’ with the current parking situation and demand for a residents’ parking scheme.

It would cover those living in the town centre as well as King Street, Smith Street, Sir Michael Place, Sir Michael Street, Tobago Street, West Stewart Street (between Kelly Street and Patrick Street), Kelly Street (between West Stewart Street/Houston Street and Union Street), Ann Street, Buccleuch Street and Crown Street.

Several streets that were removed from the zone would be reinstated — West Stewart Street from Jamaica Street to Kelly Street, Station Avenue and side streets next to Cathcart Buildings.

Arrangements at car parks are also expected to be amended.

A report to councillors states: “Extending the controlled zone boundary is likely to displace commuter parking. The overspill of this commuter parking into areas beyond the proposed extension of the controlled zone boundary will be minimised by promoting a traffic regulation order to convert the Bullring into £1 a day parking and returning the Waterfront long stay car park to free operation.

“Neither car park is being used to its full potential. These changes are considered necessary to rectify this situation. The Bullring is on average only a third full, and the revenue from the Waterfront long stay car park is only 34 per cent of its estimated contribution.” They added that the residents’ parking permit scheme would mean the car park behind Cathcart Buildings could be enforced as residents-only.

The enforcement hours for the entire scheme would be Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Visitor permits are not recommended for the permit scheme as these would be ‘open to abuse’.

No permits would be issued for businesses, carers, tradespeople or medical practitioners.

In their report, officials said: “The increase in the on-street parking maximum stay from 30 minutes to two hours is considered sufficient for carer visits without the need to issue permits.

“Tradespeople and medical practitioners would receive no special dispensations.

“Blue badge holders would be permitted to park on yellow line restrictions under the national regulations and concessions for legitimate badge holders. They can also park in standard parking spaces without charge or limit of time.” The committee will consider the proposals on 5 March.