Parking plans for Cromer and Sheringham were ‘mistake’

Campaigners have hailed a U-turn over controversial proposals to introduce on-street parking meters in Cromer and Sheringham as a victory for common sense.

The Norfolk Parking Partnership announced it has put the brakes on its plans in light of local opposition - including the North Norfolk News Save Our Seaside campaign.

It followed a warning from North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) that any attempts to drive ahead with the plans could leave them open to legal challenge.

Andy Bullen, secretary of Sheringham Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: 'We are delighted that Norfolk County Council highways department have seen sense and actually bowed to democracy because 100 per cent of the people didn't want it. They realise now that it was a mistake to put it forward.

'I was a bit surprised when I heard but I knew they had to make a decision by the end of the month because of their budget next year.'

Local business leaders are now expected to meet with council chiefs to discuss the way ahead for parking enforcement in the towns.

Traders in Cromer and Sheringham feared the double whammy of on-street parking meters, together with an increase in off-street parking charges, could see the area's reputation as a premier visitor destination suffer.

Mr Bullen said: 'Common sense dictates that we should sit down round the table to talk about how to fund the service in the best possible way, not just take a broad-brush approach putting meters in; especially when they stated they were trying to raise extra money from Sheringham and Cromer to try to fund other areas of Norfolk - that didn't go down very well in the area at all.

'They are going to have to revisit their budget now because there will still be a deficit. They need to sit down with the district council and probably the town councils to say: 'Are there other alternatives to fund the service that we need to provide for Sheringham and Cromer?''