Motor homes which are frequently seen parked on Southwold's elegant promenade could be banned in time for the summer season.Southwold Town Council has been looking into the possibility of getting a by-law put in place to stop caravans and campervans from parking overnight on North Parade because of the congestion they cause on the busy road.

Motor homes frequently seen parked on Southwold's elegant promenade could be banned in time for the summer season.

Southwold Town Council has been looking into the possibility of a

by-law to stop caravans and camper vans from parking overnight on North Parade because of the congestion they cause on the busy road.

Overnight stays are already banned on Southwold Common, but Waveney District Council - which regulates the by-law on the Common - does not own the road at North Parade and so cannot put another regulation in place.

Now Suffolk County Council has offered the town a glimmer of hope. Officers from the council's highways department were in the town on Monday to look at the stretch of road and to discuss the possibility of regulating overnight parking.

In spring last year, motor home owners were banned from parking on the sea wall at the nearby resort of Aldeburgh after fears were raised about the amount of damage being caused to the wall. Residents also complained about the litter and congestion being caused.

The by-laws in Aldeburgh had an immediate effect and only nine vehicles breached the order when it was enforced by Suffolk Coastal District Council in the summer.

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said a scheme could be in place in Southwold in time for this summer's busy tourist season.

She said: "We are reviewing all the parking restrictions in Southwold, and as part of this we are putting forward the idea of creating parking bays along North Parade.

"These would allow people to park for 24 hours but would prevent people from sleeping in their vehicles. The traffic regulation order would be enforceable by the police.

"We are going to be consulting and the timescale depends on whether there are any objections. It is possible that we could start work on putting the lines in place in the early summer. The town and district councils have both given this their support."