WREXHAM'S first town centre resident car parking scheme is finally set to get off the ground.

Offa Community Council has agreed for the scheme by Wrexham Council for a small group of residents living at properties from 7 to 25 Ruthin Road, near Marubbi’s Garage, to pay £84 for a year’s trial period to see the affect the scheme might have.

At their meeting this month, Offa County Cllr Alun Jenkins said he had particular sympathy for the residents.

They live close to the town centre and when they leave the road in the morning someone else moves into the space and when the resident returns home in the evening the car is still in the space.

He said that the residents had to pop in and out of the house to see if there is a space and then go and get their own car.

Cllr Jenkins said the scheme did not guarantee a space outside their home – but close as possible and enforcement officers would check permits. The residents had agreed the fee. He said they had asked for the scheme two years ago and Wrexham Council had now completed the scheme details

Cllr Steve Vale said he was against the scheme which caused problems in city's. He queried what would happen if a resident sold their home and the new occupant did not agree to the scheme.

He felt it seemed a "money making scheme" by the authority and he also feared Wrexham Council might hire an enforcement firm like the last one (Kingdom) which was heavy handed and we might have cars towed away.

Despite his concerns, Offa Community Council agreed for the scheme to go ahead on a trial basis by 10 votes to two.

Cllr Laura Dickenson and chairman Cllr Alex Jones said that the community council should approach Wrexham Council to seek if it could take over part of the land off St Giles Way and use it for car parking to take the strain off the parking problems on nearby streets.