Council officials are preparing to introduce a parking permit system in congested streets across the district, and to hire dozens more traffic wardens to book motorists for parking in areas like Craven Road, Buckingham Road, and in Shaw.

From November 1, each household will be allowed up to two permits for on-street parking in one of eight different zones covering Newbury, costing £25 a year each. If you want to visit a friend and park on the street, a 50p a go scratchcard voucher will need to be bought.

Some parts of Newbury already have £10 a year permits introduced five years ago, but the new scheme will make the Newbury scheme the most expensive in Berkshire.

However, the system will only be introduced in areas where 85% of kerbside is blocked for six or more hours a day, and only if the majority of residents approve. Areas with garages and drives will not be targeted, and carers are exempt.

The scheme will cost almost £6,000 a year to run, but the permits are expected to bring in £8,000. But housebuilders will be expected to stump up for extra traffic wardens in return for getting planning permission on new developments.

Council officials and Vodafone managers have already been working together to clamp down on mobile phone employees spotted parking their cars in side streets in Shaw, then walking to the headquarters to claim an £80 a month "walk to work" bonus.

Elsewhere, Craven Road residents have complained that their street has become a free car park for poorly paid shop workers looking to save the £50 a week parking fee.

Police support the scheme, and the all-Liberal Democrat cabinet is expected to rubberstamp the plans on Thursday.