PLANNERS are looking at a ‘way forward’ for parking issues in a New Forest town.

Problems in Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge were discussed at a meeting of the town council last week.

Resident Mike Harley has started a petition calling for action to make Salisbury Street safer.

The campaigner has urged the council to set up 24-hour parking restrictions and establish specific spaces for delivery lorries.

Mr Harley says HGVs end up parking on zigzag lines illegally because as many as 12 cars park along the stretch during the day, and often during delivery times.

“We have created a situation in Salisbury Street,” he said.

“It started getting safer.

“But we have now created an absolute nightmare.”

He called on the town council to help residents “make it safe”.

Town council chairman Paul Anstey said a meeting had been held with New Forest District Council, adding: “We came away with a way forward.

“We are much further forward on a solution or fix to this than we would have been.”

During the meeting concerns were raised by residents over enforcement of restrictions.

District and Hampshire county councillor Edward Heron said officers issue “quite a lot” of tickets in the town and urged residents to report any examples, noting the dates and times, to the district council.

One resident said cars were “parked legally on the lines”.

As a result, vehicles are able to park between 6pm and 8pm, as well as all day on Sunday.

The resident then raised concerns over the impact of 24 hour restrictions.

The meeting heard problems are also being caused by people parking by the Chinese takeaway, as well as Tesco delivery lorries.

Another resident felt putting double yellow lines would “push” the problem to other areas.

He also raised concerns about developments being allowed to be built with no parking.

Cllr Heron said: “We do have development with reduced or no parking.

“It is not something any of the councils want.

“It is something that, had we not approved it, would have gone through on appeal and we would have to pay costs for.”

Solutions suggested by residents included making the street one-way.

Salisbury Street houses Tesco Express, Lloyds Pharmacy, New Wongs Garden and the Post Office within just 0.1 of a mile, making it one of the town’s busiest roads.