A short-term measure to try and stop motorists parking on a notorious Cromer 'pinch point' will be installed in the next six weeks.

Eastern Daily Press: Keith Barker of Mill Road, Cromer who is unhappy about the amount of traffic on Mill Road and the hospital as cars park on both sides of the road around the site.Picture: MARK BULLIMOREKeith Barker of Mill Road, Cromer who is unhappy about the amount of traffic on Mill Road and the hospital as cars park on both sides of the road around the site.Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

Yellow zigzag lines will be painted on Mill Road, outside the town's hospital, to stop patients and others from parking on the street, preventing motorists from travelling in both directions.

But, without an enforcement notice, the lines are advisory only, and have been criticised by a bus chief for not going far enough.

Charles Sanders, whose buses drop passengers at the Cromer Hospital stop on Mill Road 70 or 80 times a day, said he would like to see enforceable double-yellow lines.

He added: 'If it helps a little bit, then good - but I would like to see something more permanent in future.'

Eastern Daily Press: Keith Barker of Mill Road, Cromer who is unhappy about the amount of traffic on Mill Road and the hospital as cars park on both sides of the road around the site.Picture: MARK BULLIMOREKeith Barker of Mill Road, Cromer who is unhappy about the amount of traffic on Mill Road and the hospital as cars park on both sides of the road around the site.Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

But Norfolk County Council, which is responsible for on-street parking, said the zigzag lines were effective.

A spokesman added: 'If there is support for the county council to implement legally-enforceable zigzag markings we will review the situation.

'However, this can be a very lengthy and time-consuming process which can take around 12 months to complete.' Residents of Mill Road, which is home to the hospital and Suffield Park Infant, Nursery School and children's centre, had complained of busy traffic, and cars parking on both sides of the road when people visit the hospital or pick up children.

Keith Barker, 73, who has lived on the road for more than 20 years with his wife, said: 'The traffic is horrendous up here. We have handed in a petition. Everyone who lives up Mill Road wants double-yellow lines.'

Bus-company owner Mr Sanders said he had been campaigning for three years and if it had not been very important to drop people at the hospital, he would have stopped buses travelling up the road.

He said the fee-charging car park at the hospital meant people who visited for a short time would rather park on the street outside than pay for parking.

'There needs to be a sensible solution,' he added. 'Near the hospital is a pinch point for buses when the road turns into a single-lane carriageway.'

Former bus driver Chris Richmond said: 'I used to drive 12-and-a-half-metre double deckers up and down Mill Road up to six times a day for two years when I worked for Sanders Coaches.

'It was tight at the best of times, but when the school kicks out, it's even worse.'

The council said the yellow lines, which inform motorists the area should not be used for parking and waiting, were a short-term solution as there was a possibility plans could develop for a new medical centre on Mill Road.

Hilary Cox, county councillor for Cromer, said: 'We need to keep the buses going up that road. It is vitally important for the people who live up there.'

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