Motorists will face time limits at a market town's central car park for the first time from next year.

Breckland Council has announced it will trial a limited parking regime at Attleborough's Queen's Square Car Park 'around spring 2018' after a request from the town's council.

Paul Claussen, Breckland councillor and executive member for place, said the trial would last for half a year before an evaluation of its success would determine if parking restrictions became a permanent fixture.

Mr Claussen said: 'In response to the town council's request, we have agreed to implement a six-month trial at Queen's Square Car Park.

'As part of our Market Town Initiative, Breckland has committed to working on a range of projects which will support our towns to thrive and this trial will form part of that programme.'

Motorists can currently leave their vehicles at Queen's Square all day - meaning that people who want to come into the town centre for just an hour or two often miss out because the car park is full.

It is hoped that having a time restriction - possibly three hours and not necessarily covering the whole car park - will free up spaces and attract more shoppers into Attleborough.

District councillor Adrian Stasiak said at a town council meeting when the issue was discussed: 'Nobody wants to come to this town because there is nowhere to park.'

The Breckland-owned car park is free to use. The district council is now considering what the restrictions will be and how they will be enforced. A statement from them read: 'Attleborough Town Council recently contacted the district council to raise concerns that unrestricted car parking is putting pressure on the number of available spaces, reducing turnover of car park use, and discouraging visitors to the town centre.

'It is expected that the trial will be implemented around spring 2018 and further details will be announced in due course. Following the trial, Breckland council will assess the impact and consider the next steps.'

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