MORE than a dozen roads in Sherborne could see changes in parking restrictions following a town review.

In most cases there will be an increase in yellow lines, although in some roads they will be removed, or amended to allow more parking.

The application is being recommended for approval at this week’s northern area planning committee.

It has taken three years to reach this stage following an on-street and off-street parking review which was started by the former county council and district council in 2017. A working group including local councillors, Sherborne town council, residents and members of the chamber of trade look at each proposed change.

The new traffic orders, if approved, will affect Abbey Road, Back Lane, Cold Harbour, Digby Road, Fairfield Heights, Higher Cheap Street, Horsecastles, Hospital Lane, Newlands, Portman Road (replacing previous proposals), The Green, South Street, Station Road and Westbury.

Committee members are being told that few objections, or letters of support, were lodged in response to the proposals although there were eight letters against proposed new ‘no loading or unloading’ orders in Cheap Street. These came mainly from traders and as a result that proposal has now been withdrawn and will be re-negotiated.

If the changes go ahead many of the affected roads will see restrictions between 9.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, some allowing stays of one or two hours only, and prohibiting a return within either one of two hours.

New orders will be made to prohibit waiting at any time on sections of Abbey Road, Back Lane, Cold Harbour, Fairfield Heights, Horsecastles, Hospital Lane, Portman Road and part of Westbury.

The Council says that a proposed ‘no waiting at any time’ order in Fairfield Heights combined with ‘limited wait’ timed restrictions would remove all day parking which is generally used by visitors to the town centre and would ensure safe access by emergency services. This proposal received six letters in support and one objection.

New restrictions in Horsecastles are also planned to ensure emergency service access and for buses, made difficult because of parking on both sides of the road.