Labour Cllr Alan Dean added: "This is the right outcome as the initial proposal was purely and simply intended at raising revenue and had not been properly thought through."

Council leader Warren Bradley welcomed the report.

He said the executive board would making a final decision after the inquiry panel had concluded further phases of work which include probing residents parking and abuse of blue badges.

The inquiry makes nine recommendations in total with the first being that on street pay- and-display parking from 6pm to 8pm should not be introduced.

The report goes on to say: "Before any future proposals are made, greater consideration of the council’s reputation and public perceptions of proposals should be taken into account, including the economic impact."

It also suggests variable charging to allow people to pay for what they get, and introducing pay-and-display parking at various unspecified locations outside the city centre.

The hours of restrictions on yellow lines should be extended to allow for improved enforcement in particular in problem areas. like Rope Walks, the report states.

"Income from parking should be ring-fenced to deliver effective enforcement, improved parking provision and a coherent parking strategy.

"The removal of illegally parked vehicles in problem areas be introduced as soon as practicable.

"Officers be requested to lobby the Minister for Transport requesting greater enforcement and penalty charge powers."