NEW plans to let drivers park on double yellow lines have divided opinion.
The city council has labelled the idea "a recipe for disaster" but business leaders have welcomed it as a "great idea".
Under the plans, people would be allowed to park on a double yellow line for 15 minutes if they were just popping into a shop.
The Government claims that such a move would help boost the health of the high street.
And the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) has said the plans are similar to those members suggested last year.
Jeff Allen, chairman of the BID, said: "We think it is a great idea in principle but it will be interesting to see how it will be managed and policed.
"Historically, councils have been rewarded for milking the motorist cash cow, be it through overzealous parking wardens or illogical box junction enforcements.
"It will therefore need legislation from central government to make councils embrace these much-needed policy changes which would clearly be of benefit to the high street.
"If we are serious about arresting the drain of retail to out-of-town shopping centres, then this is exactly the sort of policy that needs to be implemented.
"Making our city centre and our retailers accessible is a key element in making Nottingham attractive and appealing to shoppers and visitors."
But transport chiefs at both Notts County and Nottingham City councils have said the plans are unworkable and could be dangerous.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for transportation at the city council, said: "Double yellow lines are usually there for safety and traffic flow reasons. They are often there at the request of local people and communities to make sure their road is safe and accessible.
"To disregard this seems a potential recipe for disaster."
And Councillor Kevin Greaves, chairman of the county council's Transport and Highways Committee, said: "If this goes ahead, there will be serious consequences, and yet the Government seems to be ploughing along with a policy which is unworkable, impossible to monitor and will be expensive to introduce.
"Allowing people to park on double yellow lines will mean the flow of traffic is disrupted and it will seriously jeopardise the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
"This is another hastily made policy by the Communities Secretary which is doomed for failure."
Edmund King, President of the AA, said: "Rather than just allow drivers to park on double yellow lines, a thorough review of the lines would be more effective.
"Many double lines are there for historical reasons and could be lifted. There is plenty of opportunity to ease back on the signs and lines in many places, giving drivers short-term waiting bays."
What do you think of the plans? E-mail newsdesk@ nottinghampostgroup.co.uk