Motorists could be allowed to park on double yellow lines for up to 15 minutes as part of a package of government proposals to help regenerate the high street.
Drivers in England could be given a "grace period" to allow them to pick up goods from shops or leave their vehicles in bays for longer without being fined. More affordable town centre parking was one of the main recommendations of a 2011 review into the future of the high street led by retail expert Mary Portas.
Local government minister Brandon Lewis said councils needed "to play their part in reining in the over-zealous culture of municipal parking enforcement". He went on: "They should adopt a commonsense approach. Ministers are considering what further steps can be taken to ensure that town hall parking policies and practices support local high streets."
Parking and waiting on double yellow lines is prohibited for all vehicles except for those making commercial deliveries and pick-ups, blue badge holders and the emergency services.
While the new proposals are backed by the Conservatives members of the coalition, they have attracted less support from Liberal Democrat MPs.
In order to secure support for the move, higher fines could be introduced outside London for motorists who park dangerously. At the moment, the largest fine for illegal parking outside London is £70, while it is £130 in the capital.
The growth of out-of-town shopping centres – often with free parking – has been a factor in the decline of the high street.
AA president Edmund King 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 instead, so they can stop briefly to buy a paper or loaf of bread."
He went on: "Local authorities should be encouraged to do what the government does with regulations – 'one in one out' – so that yellow lines do not run out of control. Lifting restrictions on yellow lines should not be an excuse for hiking parking penalties outside London."
RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "We should be careful what we wish for. Drivers are already able to make limited stops on double yellow lines and while we support a commonsense approach to parking policy, businesses are as likely to be adversely affected by a parking free-for-all as they are by draconian restrictions."
