TRAFFIC problems in Southall may soon be improved with the introduction of up to 500 new car parking spaces.

Ealing Council is encouraging private businesses to open up their car parks as pay and display sites for public use at weekends.

The plan is to deliver an extra 300 spaces by March 2006 and an extra 270 between March and June, with a possible 200 more spaces between June 2006 and March 2008.

But Marc Dorfman, manager of regeneration and major projects for Ealing Council, said the scheme was only a short-term solution. "People feel that parking is a major problem in regards to congestion, but I don't necessarily agree," he said. "The more parking spaces you make the more people use their cars and the more congestion there will be.

"We want to balance the considerations of businesses and residents. We will make use of poorly used private spaces for a short period of time and improve public parking at the weekend where there is most need, which gives all of us more time to develop and improve public transport links. Long-term improvement of public transport links has always been the aim from the possibility of cross rail and the west London tram, to the introduction of extra buses. "

C & M Discount Furniture on the High Street is one shop considering opening up its car park to the public at the weekend.

Managing director Jaswir Malhi said it was all about being a good neighbour. He said: "We have been here for 28 years and obviously parking is a huge problem in Southall. We can allow some of our neighbours to use it but we may have to separate customer spaces and others. We won't put up pay and display machines yet, but maybe in future.

The council has been writing to businesses this week to gauge their response to the proposals.