Controlled parking zones (CPZ) could be extended ahead of an expected rise in the number of people visiting Watford town centre.

With a cinema, bowling alley, and a host of restaurants being built as part of the intu centre redevelopment, Central ward councillors are concerned that people living close to intu will have a fight on their hands to park their cars at night.

Currently, drivers visiting Watford are unable to park in CPZ’s between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.

But under new proposals, restrictions could be brought in on Sunday’s and extended to 10pm.

Thousands of letters from Watford Borough Council have been sent to residents who live in zones A,B,C,F, and G.

They are being asked to choose from one of the following four proposals. They can keep the CPZ’s as they are now, extend the CPZ’s until 10pm Monday to Saturday, enforce restrictions from Monday to Sunday 8am-6.30pm or enforce restrictions Monday to Sunday 8am-10pm.

A consultation carried out by Central ward Liberal Democrat councillors last year found that 80 per cent of those who responded thought parking was a “big problem” in Watford town centre outside the hours of control.

Councillors say extended CPZ hours will help “prioritise parking for permit holders” however permit holders would have to buy visitor parking vouchers during the extended hours and on Sundays.

They also warn that the increased hours in parking enforcement could increase the cost of permits.

Cllr Rabi Martins said: "It is clear that parking pressures will increase with the new shops and cinema in the town and we want visitors to use the car park or come by public transport so we are responding to residents’ concerns to ensure that they can park at night and on Sundays. It’s up to residents to decide what they think is best for them."

The consultation is open until August 24. Only people living within the zones stated should fill out the survey.

To view the consultation, visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WatfordCentralCPZ/