FREE parking in Knowle could be doubled if proposals are given the nod at a meeting later this month.
Last summer, road chiefs made the controversial decision to reduce the free parking period in off-street car parks from two hours to just 30 minutes.
However less than a year later leader of the council, Bob Sleigh, put forward a motion to increase this to one hour.
The proposal was given the green light at the cabinet meeting on February 7 but still awaits full council approval at a meeting on February 28 before plans can go ahead.
Knowle councillor Alan Rebeiro had provided a petition to local businesses which had been backed by around 2,500 people which he presented to the full council meeting on February 5.
He welcomed the new proposals but voiced frustration that the one hour option was not accepted when he first suggested it as a compromise last year.
Coun Rebeiro said: “Despite my petition, all seemed lost for an urgent review, except that just two days later the leader of the council unexpectedly brought forward a recommendation to the full cabinet meeting.
“You cannot imagine how pleased I am for Knowle traders and businesses and wish to thank them and all residents and visitors for the strength of their support through my petition.
“The communities of Knowle and beyond have responded magnificently to the petition and prove actions and voices do make a significant difference.
“However, we must have the changes brought in urgently and I will continue to press for this to be authorised as soon as practical and when the tariff charges for longer stay parking have also made public.
“The future for Knowle Village centre looks so much brighter and we have, at last, got justice for Knowle village and I am so very pleased for my community.”
Speaking to The Observer after the meeting about the changes Coun Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “I have listened.”
