Radical plans to streamline car parking charges in the borough have been unveiled this week by Enfield Council.

The driver-friendly initiative is in line with Government guidelines which require local authorities to use parking enforcement powers to keep traffic flowing, rather than implement them as a money-making tool.

Councillors passed the plans at a council meeting on Wednesday and they are due to come into effect in October.

Changes include a revised charging system, the introduction of pre-purchasable pay-and-display tickets, and signs informing drivers that Bank Holiday parking is free.

On-street pay and display charges will be 20p for 15 minutes, 50p for 30 minutes, £1 for one hour and £2 for two hours, with tickets valid in any street parking bay in the borough.

A council spokesman said: "Unused time will be transferable between bays, with the system designed to be more driver-friendly."

Off-street pay-and-display car parking will cost 90p for up to one hour, £1.50 for one to two hours, £2 for two to four hours, £3 for four to six hours and £4.50 for six to 11 hours.

The tickets will not be valid for street bays, but will be transferable between council car parks across the borough, except for Palace Gardens multi-storey car park and the temporary car park in Cecil Road, Enfield.

Drivers who regularly park in the borough will be able to take advantage of a voucher scheme allowing them to pre-purchase books of ten vouchers with one free ticket for each of the on-street tariffs.

Terry Neville, cabinet member for the environment, said: "These plans are designed to make parking in Enfield more flexible, cost-effective and straightforward."

The changes follow a Government draft which was put to public consultation this week. Serial parking penalty evaders will be clamped and local authorities will be encouraged to regularly review parking policy under the plans.

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said: "The Government is determined to see a parking system that is fairer and more consistent. We have listened to motorists and it is clear that the current system needs to be improved."