The scheme will follow successful new parking zones introduced in 2002 and 2003, such as Goldsmid and Westbourne (due to start in November).

Public consultation with Prestonville residents and businesses to date has revealed overwhelming support. A mail out of 2000 questionnaires produced a high response rate of 25% and overall, 68% of people said they supported the introduction of the scheme. Twenty nine per cent were opposed (19% strongly), but only three streets within the scheme's boundary were opposed to the scheme overall (Old Shoreham Road, York Grove and Highcroft Villas).

Three per cent had no opinion or did not answer the question. Half of the businesses that responded supported the proposals.

A traffic order will be now be advertised to allow a three-week period for formal comments on the scheme. Comments can be e-mailed to prestonville@brighton-hove.gov.uk from 10 October.

Councillor Simon Battle, transport spokesperson for Brighton & Hove City Council, said: "We are keen to introduce a scheme in this area as we recognise the severe problems residents and businesses currently have with parking and access. Parking enforcement would greatly improve safety around Stanford Junior School where the head teacher is concerned about increased and indiscriminate parking around the school.

"We have a legal responsibility, however, to ensure that everyone who wants to comment has had the opportunity to do so and that it is properly debated in public. This will help ensure we get the best scheme for those who live and work in the area right from the start."

The results of the formal consultation will be presented to the next available environment committee, which is 11 December. If approved, work on installing the infrastructure for the new scheme will begin immediately after Christmas and will come into operation in March (weather permitting).