A NEW decriminalised parking scheme looks set to take off in Redditch, despite short-term financial limitations.

Redditch Council's executive committee will tonight consider the findings of a feasibility study investigating transferring parking enforcement powers from police to the council, under delegated powers from Worcestershire County Council.

It means both the borough and county councils would employ their own wardens and have the power to ensure parking policies are implemented effectively.

The report, commissioned by Redditch Council, states the project is "operationally desirable", although it has "marginal financial viability" in the short term.

According to the report, the scheme would ensure better management and control over car journeys to meet the need for access to the main town attractions.

Overall environmental conditions, including safer traffic conditions and less pollution, would benefit from the scheme, said the report.

And the project would be self-financing, with money from parking fines being ploughed back into the scheme.

Councillor Diane Thomas said she fully supported the scheme, although initial costs would have to be met and "teething problems" allowed for.

Mrs Thomas, who has long supported the feasibility report on parking decriminalisation, said the council would have to draw on the experience of other councils, such as Wychavon, which had successfully adopted the scheme.

But she added: "The feasibility study complements the Local Transport Plan, which aims to reduce congestion and relieve parking problems in the area.

"Adopting it will enable Redditch to move onward and upward."