Residents have welcomed a decision to introduce permit parking to a series of streets in Thorpe Hamlet.

Eastern Daily Press: John Fisher, chair of Norwich Highways Agency Committee. Pic: Norfolk Conservatives.John Fisher, chair of Norwich Highways Agency Committee. Pic: Norfolk Conservatives. (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

However, the decision has also posed a parking conundrum for fans of Norwich City, who often use them to park on matchdays.

At a meeting of the Norwich highways agency committee - which is made of members of both Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council - members agreed to proposals to bring 24-hour permit zones into an area of Thorpe Hamlets.

The new restrictions will apply to Cintra Road, Ranson Road, Stanley Avenue, Wellesley Avenue South and part of Telegraph Lane East, and will also see double yellow lines added to Thorpe Road.

The issue came before committee following a campaign from residents living in the area, who argued excessive on-street parking - particularly on matchdays - was making it difficult for emergency vehicles to use the roads.

Chris Dunn, 65, who lives on Wellesley Avenue South, said: 'I'm very pleased and sure this will also be welcomed by the vast majority of residents who live around here.

'I think the council has done a very thorough job listening to our concerns and have responded to them excellently with this scheme.

'We were one of the last areas of Thorpe Hamlet without this protection and as a consequence we would see lots of people leaving their cars on our streets - not just on matchdays either.'

While the move has been welcomed by Mr Dunn, it leaves some Norwich City fans rethinking their options for matchday parking, having relied on the area previous seasons.

At the committee meeting, chairman John Fisher acknowledged the impact the move would have on Norwich City fans.

He said: 'I would encourage a soft approach to enforcement on the first home game of the season.

'There are probably some supporters who have been parking there for up to 30 years on matchdays, so I suggest we approach it in a sensitive way.'

He added that he feared any penalties issued on the day of City's first home fixture could result in the council receiving backlash from motorists.