COUNCILLORS are hopeful that a raft of new restrictions proposed for the town will help to alleviate some of the parking problems plaguing Dorchester.

A series of proposed restriction have been put forward by Dorset County Council following a concerted effort by town councillors to get local authorities together to look at the issues surrounding parking in the town.

A number of areas have been included in the proposed traffic regulation orders that will form part of the county council's primary consultation, including the junction of Cromwell Road and Alfred Road where residents have been asked for measures to be introduced.

Among the other sites that are included in the proposals are the junction of Baynards Road and Cambridge Road, sections of Queens Avenue, the junction between Clarence Road and Treves Road, parts of South Court Avenue, sections of Wessex Road and Williams Avenue near the entrance to Dorset County Hospital.

There are also a number of restrictions proposed for various sections of Olga Road, Edward Road and Coburg Road.

Chairman of Dorchester Town Council's planning and environment committee Susie Hosford said that members were supportive of the majority of the restrictions being proposed.

She said the committee hoped introducing the measures would go some way towards the council's long running ambition of trying to tackle parking issues in residential areas of the town.

Cllr Hosford said: "In the main they are the things we have been asking for for some time and they are the things we hope will benefit the amenity of residents but also will enable visitors to have a little bit more parking available as well."

She added that the proposals were part of an attempt to take a more strategic approach to parking issues in the town, rather than dealing with them on a case by case basis as they are raised by local residents.

Cllr Hosford said that the council had also been working hard to get all authorities and organisations responsible for parking in the town together so they can tackle the problem.

She said: "We are desperately trying to get all levels involved to work together and come up with a strategic plan for parking in Dorchester, rather than just doing it on a piece by piece basis."