A controversial plan to introduce parking fees for residents was rejected yesterday following one of the largest consultations ever planned by Glasgow City Council.

A controversial plan to introduce parking fees for residents was rejected yesterday following one of the largest consultations ever planned by Glasgow City Council.

The local authority said it would stand by its decision to honour the will of the people after dropping proposals to introduce parking permits.

The plans were dropped after the consultation returned a resounding "no" vote from people living in the west end and south side.

Just three areas - out of 36 in total - said they wanted the new restrictions.

Robert Booth, executive director of land and environmental services, insisted there would be no U-turn in any area that voted against the plans.

He said: "We said when the consultation was announced that we would listen to the views of the public. We are absolutely going to do that and will act on what the public have told us they want."

He added that the decision not to introduce permits is likely to anger many people who want action to be taken to stop residential streets being clogged up.

"There is the likelihood there will be uproar," Mr Booth said. "I have a feeling we will get slated because people will say they really wanted it."

Mr Booth said many people favouring permits may not have return their questionnaire because they believed restrictions were a foregone conclusion.

The consultation - the biggest exercise on parking plans ever carried out by the roads department - was held in response to frequent complaints about a lack of available parking from residents and businesses within the two areas.

More than 45,000 questionnaires were sent to homes in the west end and south side asking people if they wanted residents' parking permits - with charges for everyone else parking in the area - to be used in their community.

If approved, the plans would have created restricted zones where parking permits would cost £50 to £100, as well as the introduction of short-stay meters.

Taken as a whole, all of the council wards were against a permit scheme.