Speed limit signs will be placed on wheelie bins in an effort to combat hasty motorists in a Norfolk village.

Hethersett Parish Council has decided to trial the scheme in areas with a 20mph limit after hearing of success with similar measures in other parishes.

Jackie Sutton, council chairman, said she hoped the new signs would encourage motorists to slow down. She said: 'It's a simple and effective way of getting over the speed limit to motorists.

'It is quite an impressive sight to see the speed limit signs in a line on bin collection day and it could be an effective way of reminding motorists who won't be able to ignore seeing them.

'Our village was never intended to cope with the large volume of traffic currently going through it.'

It comes as the parish council has received an increase in complaints from residents about speeding through the village, in roads such as Churchfields.

Parking problems

The parish council has also been 'inundated' with complaints about problem parking areas in the village.

Residents have contacted the council following an article in the parish newsletter asking to be informed of areas of concern.

Ian Weetman, parish clerk, said: 'There seems to be parking issues in virtually every road in the village.'

Areas highlighted include Steepletower, Firs Road, Recreation Road, Henstead Road, Great Melton Road, Queen's Road and more.

The council has been in touch with Norfolk Constabulary through police and crime commissioner Lorne Green and received information as to how to report specific problems.

It said that under the 2008 Traffic Management Act, parking enforcement is a matter for South Norfolk Council which can be contacted on 01508 533701.

Vehicles parked in a dangerous position where its position could cause injury (not simply an inconvenience) to someone using the road (e.g parking on a blind bend or on a humpback bridge) are matters for the police and should be reported either online or by calling 101.

Councillors decided that residents should be made aware of this procedure.

Councillor Stephen Slack said he felt some of the problems caused by parking 'border on the dangerous.'

More Road Signs

New road signs could soon be in place at a number of entrances to Hethersett. The parish council is supporting additional signs coming from Little Melton (probably on Henstead Road), Great Melton and Ketteringham to inform motorists that they are entering Hethersett.

The council is also looking into the possibility of linking the signs with some form of speed detection warnings.

Fly Posting

The parish council is urging groups and organisations to be responsible when it comes to advertising events. Council members have been concerned about the number of posters being placed on public utilities such as telegraph posts and electricity poles.

The council is concerned about the proliferation of advertising posters and is urging groups and organisations to use the various noticeboards placed throughout the village.

Potholes

The council is also urging residents to report potholes to the relevant authority.

Reports can be sent via the internet.

At the latest meeting, councillors heard of concerns regarding potholes that have appeared on the B1172 in the area between the bus shelter and the parish church.

Overgrown vegetation on the designated cycle path means that many cyclists are taking to the road and could become a victim of the potholes.

The council has also expressed its concern regarding the height of nettles around the trod (path) close to St Remigius Church

Talks urged with Highways Authority

Hethersett is still waiting for new bus shelters and a proposed improved crossing point on the B1172 leading to Church Farm.

The parish council expressed its concern that it has been waiting for 15 months for a meeting with Norfolk County Council's Highways Department to discuss problem traffic areas in the village.

At their latest meeting, councillors agreed that the delays are not acceptable and will write to the head of highways.

The bus shelters and crossing are part of a parish partnership scheme with funding being split between the parish and Norfolk County Council.

The parish council has already paid its 50pc.