Double yellow lines are set to be extended in American Lane, Huntingdon, in a bid to clampdown on bad parking.

Councillor Tom Sanderson, who has played a key part in getting the lines installed, called for the introduction of civil parking enforcement so that fines could be issued to ensure drivers obeyed the regulations.

The new lines would extend existing restrictions near the Primrose Lane junction and would also be put in near Spring Common School.

There have been long-running problems with on-street parking in the Primrose Lane and American Lane areas, together with streets around the nearby Avenue Road.

Plans for the new restrictions are expected to be advertised in The Hunts Post shortly and residents will be able to comment on the proposals, with a deadline for objections on February 7.

Cllr Sanderson said unregulated streets in the town centre had been an issue for some time as drivers tried to avoid paying to park at the railway station and in Huntingdonshire District Council’s pay car parks.

He said the district council was already carrying out a review into parking.

“I think we need to have a holistic approach with some joined up thinking between the district council and Cambridgeshire County Council,” he said. “I also think we need civil parking enforcement and if some tickets were issued it would get the message across.”

Cllr Sanderson said double yellow lines had been put in at Scholars Avenue, which was close to the railway station, and had been successful in stopping parking problems.

He said his concern was that extending the restrictions in American Lane could drive the problem elsewhere, including nearby residential areas.

The area around Avenue Road and Cowper Road has become very congested as they are close to the town centre and drivers take advantage of free on-street parking on both sides of the road, often leaving too little room for fire engines and buses to get through. It also means residents have problems finding a parking space.

Last autumn, Councillor Ste Greenall apologised to residents saying that he and fellow council colleagues had been unable to find a solution to bad parking in the town.