HOPES of addressing parking and traffic problems in Southwold have been welcomed.An exhibition about the issues, including new proposals for waiting restrictions, will take place next week.

HOPES of addressing parking and traffic problems in Southwold have been welcomed.

An exhibition about the issues, including new proposals for waiting restrictions, will take place next week.

Suffolk County Council and Southwold Town Council will be holding the consultation and exhibition at Southwold Town Hall from Monday to Saturday, February 2.

As well as showing proposed changes to Southwold's waiting restrictions, following an 18-month investigation into requests and consultation with Suffolk Police and the town council, it will also be an opportunity for residents, traders and shoppers to put forward their views about the traffic and parking problems in the town.

Geraldine Bryant, chairman of Southwold Town Council's traffic management committee, said: “What we are trying to do is address traffic and congestion in the town and unfortunately we always have to try and do it piecemeal as we don't have a designated shoppers car park.

“One of the main things that will hopefully be addressed by these proposals will be the one or two areas in the town that have become really dangerous because of people parking.”

She added: “We are always struggling to get the balance right but we desperately need more car parking in the town. We are looking for small areas in the town where we could have more parking. We need more parking for shoppers otherwise people will not come to the town and the shops will disappear.

“One hopes that people will attend the exhibition and comment, it is all very well moaning and groaning but we need people's input and ideas. I am sure the age old problems will crop up but we need to try and address them and come up with solutions.”

Shoppers in the town said they would welcome any proposals which would make congestion and parking easier.

Melanie Kerry, who regularly shops in Southwold, said: “I just hope they are not going to cut back any of the parking spaces that are already very limited in the town. What needs to happen is for a purpose built car park to be built, unfortunately I don't know where they could build something like that as land in the town centre is very limited.”

Another shopper Marian Webber added: “Parking is a problem and if it is not addressed then eventually the town will suffer. I hope this exhibition leads to some ideas on how to manage traffic in Southwold.”

Anyone who cannot make it to the exhibition but wishes to make comments can send them, via email, to TMeast@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk

The exhibition will be open daily Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm in the committee room.