Controversial on-street parking charges will not be introduced in any town in Cumbria – unless local councillors ask for them, a meeting has heard.

County council leader Stewart Young (Lab, Carlisle) told a meeting of the authority in Kendal that charges and meters would not be imposed from upon high.

Councillor Young said any decision was a matter for councillors on local committees to decide.

He said: “The whole point of devolving decision-making is so those committees are free to take that decision.

“If they do not want to introduce on-street parking charges, they don’t have to. What I would say is rather than being knee-jerk, political and reactionary about it, they should at least give it some consideration.

“If a committee did introduce them, the net proceeds would be available to that local committee to reinvest in the highways network in their areas. The whole point is we don’t have enough money to look after the whole highways network. It’s not just about raising money, but about managing traffic.”

Opposition Conservative leader James Airey (Con, Ulverston West) said there had been “failed attempt” by the Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition to bring them in four years ago.

Coun Airey said: “We can guarantee in the two local committees that the Conservatives run that we won’t be delivering on-street car parking meters at all. No way, no chance, not ever.”

Coun Airey called on others to make the same commitment.

“I know the residents of South Lakeland would wish to know the Liberal Democrats’ views on those unpopular proposals,” said Coun Airey.

Earlier this month it emerged that county council managers had toured the county to discuss the idea at behind-closed-doors meetings with county councillors in South Lakeland, Barrow and Eden, among others.

It has been estimated that close to £700,000 could be raised, although the money would then be spent on highways projects in those areas rather than going into central coffers.

The 2014 proposals suggested bringing in charges on streets in 11 towns – including Carlisle, Penrith, Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport, Keswick and Cockermouth.