Time limits are to be enforced in car parks in and around Swaffham's town centre in an effort to make parking restrictions more consistent.

The approach was confirmed by Breckland Council on Monday and is expected to be introduced on a six-month trial basis next year.

Parking in Swaffham is free of charge but motorists are restricted to a maximum of two hours at a number of sites. However, these restrictions have not been fully enforced resulting in some drivers parking in parking spaces all day.

Under the new trial those two hour wait limits will be enforced at the Market Place Car Park, Peddars Car Park and Pit Lane Car Park, bringing Breckland Council car parks in line with nearby on-street limits already enforced by Norfolk County Council.

The measure was agreed after Breckland Council was contacted by Swaffham Town Council over concerns that parking restriction inconsistencies were causing confusion for drivers and putting pressure on the number of spaces in the town centre.

Breckland is now reviewing the planned restrictions and how they will be enforced. It is expected that they will be implemented around mid-2018 and further details will be announced in the coming months.

The council will assess the impact of the restrictions after the trial period has ended and consider what steps to take next.

Councillor Paul Claussen, Breckland's executive member for Place, said: 'After being contacted by the town council, we have agreed to trial enforced time limits at these car parks in the centre of Swaffham.

'We hope this will help to clarify parking restrictions in the area, while also freeing up spaces and encouraging more visitors to the town. As part of Breckland's Market Town Initiative, we are keen to work closely with our partners to address key issues for our towns and this new trial will feed into that programme.'

The announcement came shortly after Breckland Council confirmed it would be trialling car parking enforcement in Attleborough and working on plans to enforce time limits at the town's Queens Square Car Park.

Breckland said they have no plans to roll out further trials in other market towns.

Do you think the restrictions should be enforced? Let us know at steve.shaw@archant.co.uk.