Residents seek clarity on parking scheme start date

2 hours ago

Clare WordenBBC News, Norfolk

News image — The council said it remained committed to giving residents a free hour of parking

BBC View of the sparsely populated North Beach car park at Heacham. There are three cars parked on the sand next to a parking metre and a yellow barrier limiting the height of cars that can be parked there. — The council said it remained committed to giving residents a free hour of parking

People living near a beach have expressed frustration that car parking charges have risen before a promised free parking scheme for residents was implemented.

Residents living around Heacham beach, Norfolk, said the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk told them in November 2025 that they would be allowed one hour's free parking from April 2026.

Despite the parking charges increasing on 1 April, residents said no mechanism for them to claim the free hour has been introduced.

West Norfolk Borough Council, which owns the North and South Beach car parks, said "it remains the intention to introduce the residents' parking scheme".

Nicky Bailey View of a parking sign at Heacham beach showing the charges for different vehicles and time scales. — New signage and rates have appeared at the car parks, residents say

An annual visitors permit for people living around Heacham beach in West Norfolk for the north and south car parks now costs £126.60 for 12 months, previously it was £58.10 for eight months.

Following a petition asking the council to reconsider the rates, residents were offered a free hour's parking to ensure those living nearby could still access the beach.

But while the charges for parking have changed the scheme for the free hour has not been devised.

Nicky Bailey, who lives in Heacham, said: "It's so frustrating trying to get answers from the council.

"I've been given completely different information from different councillors; I just can't get a clear answer or a date of when the free parking will be put in place."

Christina Brown said she visited the beach several times a week and told the BBC it was her "happy place".

Brown said: "The free parking is still pending after so many months of empty promises.

"The parking charges have definitely affected the village, I walk to the beach when I can and there definitely aren't as many cars parking in the car parks now."