COUNCIL bosses are hoping a new car club in Colchester could be the answer to the town's parking problems.

Car Plus hopes to create the club in a bid to cut car ownership which in turn could ease tensions between residents and the council.

Council documents state areas where a residents' parking scheme is in place are becoming increasingly oversubscribed and the proposed club would give residents the chance to access to a car without having to own it or park it in their street.

As part of the plans, users would use specially-allocated off-street and on-street spaces so residents would not have to travel too far before picking up or dropping off a car.

Members would pay a flat rate membership fee - which includes maintenance and insurance costs - and then pay for distance and time when they use a car.

The move has been welcomed by Mike Lilley, Colchester Council's representative on the North Essex Parking Partnership.

He said: "It's something we would certainly get behind because something has got to be done to cut the amount of cars on our roads and clogging up the streets.

"The more cars we get off the roads, the better it will be for everyone.

"We are really keen to push it forward as we are really keen to be more proactive in tackling problems in Colchester."

Car clubs are aimed at people who drives fewer than between 6,000 and 8,000 miles per year and who do not need a car to commute to work.

Research also shows new car club members drive 1,000 miles fewer per year than they previously did.

In Colchester, 63 people have shown a strong interest in joining the club, with a further 55 saying they would consider joining.

Members of the North Essex Parking Partnership debated the plans last week and voted to push ahead with plotting car parking spaces across the town.

Car Plus was contacted for comment but no response was received.

However its website states users can book a car by phone from weeks ahead or a with only a few minutes' notice.

Cars can be booked for an hour or for a whole weekend. Hourly rates start from £3.50.

To get the keys to the car, users swipe a smartcard, which opens to car doors.

Once drivers are finished, payment is taken from their nominated bank account and a cost breakdown is sent by either email or text message.