Eaton Park, Norwich: Neighbours slam parking fee plan

Norwich City Council has moved one step closer to introducing the charges which could be up to £8 a day. 

But neighbours living in and around the area are expecting parking to get even worse with those visiting clogging up their roads.

Lila Brissett has lived in nearby Peckover Road for four years and said "the weekends are already a nightmare".

The 70-year-old retiree said: "Whether people just walk their dog or visit one of the clubs here they'll park in the road outside for two to three hours at a time.

"It's such a nuisance.

"If the charges are introduced it's just going to drive more people to park around the estate."

The council says the fees could raise £50,000 a year and help fill its £6.2m budgetary black hole.

Councillor Adam Giles, cabinet member responsible for parks and open spaces, said: "It's clear that we can no longer rely on the government to provide sufficient funding. 

"This leaves us no choice but to factor in income generation as part of our approach to balancing our budget – to generate enough money to deliver our vital services."

Dean Fitzgerald, who lives in South Park Avenue with his wife and son, believes the parking charges would be a good idea if they weren't so expensive.

The 38-year-old factory supervisor said: "It would hopefully deter the boy racers who spend all their time in the car park opposite my house.

"However the amount they want to charge is horrendous - if it was a quid for the whole day then fair enough but it's way too much."

Lena Berry, 71 from Pettus Road, added: "I live alone so have family come and visit me often.

"Sometimes they have to park all the way down the road or around the corner because people using the park will park right outside my house.

"It worries me that more people will park around here if charges are introduced."