A DIDIM resident has been told he will face a 150TL a month bill to continue parking outside his own home.

Aydin Belediye has introduced a paid-parking scheme on some of the most congested streets in Didim, including the main street in Yenihisar and around main streets leading to the Main Beach.

One such street is Yunus Cad, the road that runs at the back of Yali Cad, the main promenade in Altinkum.

It is here that ex-finance broker Sean Mac Conmara (56) has been told he will have to stump up 150TL a month to continue parking his Lancia outside his home.

While he understands the need for charging to counter parking problems, Mr Mac Conmara said that more should be done to offer discounted permits for permanent residents, while trying to cash in on the tourists heading into town.

The ex-finance broker, from Preston, said: “The residents were previously asked to pay about 1,700TL when the road was renewed and block-paved some five years ago. Now we are being charged again for the privilege of parking here.

“I understand the parking problems affecting Didim, but a simple permit for the permanent residents who are here all year would be more than welcome.

“What it amounts to is that I am being forced to pay the same amount for a group of lads who may come for the day from outside of town, who go and get drunk, part on the beach, leave their litter behind and go home.

“Permanent residents are here and permanently supporting the local economy.”

He added that apart from the charges, he puts in over 100TL every week on fuel, with a healthy percentage going to the Turkish exchequer and around 3,000TL annually for road tax.

“All these charges and yet I cannot park my car in front of my house or on the street for 150TL a month. Some roads are also hard to park on due to advertising obstacles put in place by local businesses.”

He pointed out that cars parking on side-streets during the height of season would also cause localized bottle-necks.