Great Yarmouth Councillors are expressing concern that illegal parking could jeopardise plans to encourage street cafes along the refurbished seafront at Great Yarmouth.

Work carried out to rejuvenate the seafront and widen pavements is seen as the ideal opportunity to invite businesses to provide outside seating.

But during last summer it became obvious that some people saw the wider walkways and dropped kerbs as an invitation to park illegally.

To try and help combat this the Council’s Leader Barry Coleman and Councillor Bert Collins the cabinet member for Enterprise, Tourism and Culture have contacted traders on Marine Parade and Regent Road by letter to ask for their help in putting a stop to the practice.

“We are victims of our own success,” said Councillor Coleman. “By opening up the pedestrian areas by removing railings and bollards to make the seafront more attractive, we have removed the barriers that prevented people parking before.

“The selfishness of a few makes it difficult for traders and the public to make full use of uncluttered space.

“We have contacted the businesses in the area to seek their help to identify the people causing the problem and to spread the word to visitors and residents in the area.

“The work carried out is making the seafront an even safer and more pleasant, pedestrian-friendly place to be - and that is how we want everyone who uses it to feel.”

For further information contact Councillor Barry Coleman on 01493 740782, e-mail bgc@great-yarmouth.gov.uk, or Regeneration Manager David Stannard on 01493 846565, e-mail ds@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.