Parking permit zones could be introduced in Felixstowe town centre, including streets east and west of Hamilton Road, St Andrews Road, Sea Road and Manor Terrace area

A residents’ parking scheme could be introduced in the streets around Felixstowe town centre.

On Wednesday, members of the town council met to discuss East Suffolk Council parking proposals which include potential new permit zones in streets east and west of Hamilton Road as well as St Andrew’s Road, Sea Road and the Manor Terrace area.

The proposals were sparked by calls from residents to address the campervan parking in Undercliff Road East, which has become a popular destination for touring vehicles.

The town council previously agreed the matter needed attention, including potential regulated parking bays and finding an alternative town site for campervan.

This issue prompted the district council to review parking in Felixstowe —including Undercliff Road East —with the town council asked for its opinion on proposals.

During Wednesday’s meeting, councillors also suggested a consultation for residents and stakeholders – such as business owners, visitors and shoppers – should be held before any decisions is made.

Town mayor Cllr David Rowe said: “We suggested East Suffolk Council should ask residents for their opinion.

“Some residents do like parking permits because it gives them more chance and opportunity to be able to park close to their property, whereas some don’t because it limits the amount of people that can park in that area.

“However, the issue we have to consider with any parking regulation is pushing the problem that already exists elsewhere.

“We don’t want to displace parking from one road to another road nearby.”

As well as town centre consultation, councillors discussed other matters, including parking along Sea Road.

The majority of members were in favour of keeping Sea Road largely unregulated and free, but there was some interest in introducing seasonal free time-limited parking with a no-return period.

Cllr Rowe said it would give more people a chance to park along the seafront, however, residents with a parking permit could be exempt from the restrictions.

Councillors also voted in favour of amending parking regulations in Undercliff Road West to improve the street scene, prevent obstructions and open up parking opportunities.

The amendments included replacing the taxi rank outside Felixstowe Leisure Centre with a bus stop clearway, replacing time-limited waiting bays outside Domino’s with a loading bay and extending waiting restrictions beside the pier car park for another 100 metres.

Members also backed the protection of cycle lanes in High Street, High Road West and High Road East to ‘prevent inappropriate parking’.