A working party is being established to investigate how traffic and parking can be managed in Wells after the town experienced what is said to have been its busiest summer in living memory.

While the constant increase in tourists visiting Wells brought a welcome boost to businesses, concerns have been raised about the impact this is having on residents.

Wells Town Council will form a working party to look at management of traffic in the town, specifically at parking and tourism.

Town council chairman Allen Frary said: 'Parking and tourism are the most important issues in Wells, without a shadow of doubt. The town has just had its busiest summer that I can ever remember.

'It is good news for businesses, and that should be welcomed, but the sheer volume of tourists visiting Wells now is having a detrimental impact on the people living in the town and it has got out of hand.'

The working party is made up of four town councillors, who will look at how traffic and parking are managed in other popular tourist destinations across the country and investigate the options.

Business people and other members of the community may be invited to join the working party and discuss future proposals.

Mr Frary said: 'The increase in visitors may be down to us coming out of the recession or down to more people choosing to spend their holidays in this country rather than going abroad, I don't know.

'But Wells' growing popularity is threatening to spoil what people love about the place. One person told me they spent four hours trying to find somewhere to park and said they will never come back to Wells.'

What do you think of the plans? Write to adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk