Ben WoodsPARKING issues in Watton are to be put under the spotlight at an open meeting on Monday.Ben Woods

PARKING issues in Watton are to be put under the spotlight at an open meeting on Monday.

The debate will give people in Wayland the chance to voice their opinion on the future of parking in the town and discuss draft proposals put forward by Breckland Council's overview and scrutiny committee parking task and finish group.

The event, scheduled for 7pm at the Gallery Bar in Watton Sports Centre, follows a public consultation held in May when Breckland Council asked people in Watton to find out the key problems surrounding parking in the area.

Public responses came from local organisations, businesses, and residents, who highlighted issues such as illegal parking, lack of enforcement, and the need for better management of parking space turnover.

In a letter to Breckland Council, Anthony Evans, who lives in Saham Toney, near Watton, said: 'The biggest problem with regard to Watton is the illegal parking within the High Street, both in the afternoons and particularly on Saturday mornings, which at times can bring the High Street to a virtual standstill.

'The main problem is the inadequacy of the enforcement being meted out with the lack of police and traffic warden control and if this issue was overcome then the current situation in Watton would be improved considerably.'

All replies submitted during the consultation have been considered by the parking task and finish group, which has designed a set of 'in principle' proposals to tackle the issues.

Task and finish group chairman, councillor Shirley Matthews, said: 'It is local people who understand what the real problems are, so we are hoping there will be a good turnout from residents on Monday.

'We have invited a number of organisations such as Norfolk Police, Konectbus, local businesses, Norfolk County Council, the town council and the Wayland Partnership to send representatives, so it should be an interesting and useful debate.'

The views and ideas put forward at the meeting will be considered by the task and finish group, and a final report with recommendations will be taken to Breckland's overview and scrutiny commission in the autumn.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting who would like to comment should contact Mark Broughton on 01362 656870, or e-mail scrutiny@breckland.gov.uk