Parking on double yellow lines may in future be allowed for brief periods. Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis favours a more “common sense approach” to parking enforcement in town centres and wants to discourage an “over zealous” application of the rules. One idea under discussion is to allow drivers a 15 minute period of grace in urban areas.

But the idea has not gone down well with motoring organisations. RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: “Double yellow lines have served us well. Drivers understand what they mean and they provide for limited stopping.

“Allowing people to stop for longer periods of time on double yellow lines would add to rather than diminish local congestion and parking problems. Short term shopper parking is a good idea, but providing it on double yellow lines is not the answer.”

AA President Edmund King added: “Rather than just allow drivers to park on double yellow lines, a thorough review of the lines would be more effective. But there is plenty of opportunity to ease back on the signs and lines in many places, giving drivers short term waiting bays instead, so they can stop briefly to buy a paper or a loaf of bread.”

A spokesman for the British Chambers of Commerce said it welcomes initiatives that could provide a boost to the high street. But he suggested that reduced parking charges in town centres would be a better idea rather than allowing motorists to park for 15 minutes on double yellow lines.

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