A solution could finally be in sight for the St Neots residents whose streets are left littered with commuters’ cars.

St Neots town, district and county councillor Barry Chapman told The Hunts Post he has identified parking restrictions that would prevent the roads near the railway station being filled with vehicles and was researching possible sources of funding.

For years residents in the Longsands Road area of the town have complained that their roads are reduced to a single lane because of the parked cars and that access to driveways is hampered by inconsiderate parking.

Cllr Chapman said that following a survey of residents, in which he received hundreds of responses, the preferred solution is restrictions for half an hour to an hour, twice a day.

The restrictions could take place between 10am and 12noon and 2pm and 4pm on weekdays, preventing commuters leaving their cars outside homes all day.

“It is a very positive suggestion and quite a significant move forward from a few months ago,” he said.

The next stage would be to secure an order allowing the changes as well as finding the money for pay for them.

Cllr Chapman said Cambridgeshire County Council’s Local Highways Improvement Initiative could be an answer. The scheme allows communities to apply for up to a £10,000 contribution towards projects.

The county council stressed that the earliest it would be able to consider an application for funding was 2015/16.

If anything were to happen faster than that, the funding would have to come from elsewhere.

However, Cllr Chapman hinted that money could be available from third parties.

News of a possible solution received a warm welcome from Dianne Hitchings, 54, of Rowley Road, who said: “It would be absolutely fantastic. The problem has become worse, especially since cars were stopped from parking in Hawkesden Road.

“It is a bit of a nightmare getting off the drive, especially because of the bend. Cars do fly around it there and I’m surprised there hasn’t been an accident.

“It would be heaven to have our road back and not have cars parking outside my house for 12 hours a day.”

A CCC spokesman said: “We obviously would welcome applications for improvements under the Local Highways Improvement Initiative and we await an application.”