A CAR park just for commuters may be on the cards for Halesworth, according to the chairman of the town council.More than 50 people turned up to a council meeting on Monday to hear Keith Sampson, from Suffolk County Council's Enviroment and Transport department, run through proposed changes for the town's parking, as worked out by the county council and Waveney District Council.

A CAR park just for commuters may be on the cards for Halesworth, according to the chairman of the town council.

More than 50 people turned up to a council meeting on Monday to hear Keith Sampson, from Suffolk County Council's Enviroment and Transport department, run through proposed changes for the town's parking, as worked out by the county council and Waveney District Council.

The plan is to introduce two parking zones - shorter parking periods in the town centre and longer for those outside - and change various periods for on and off-street parking in and near the centre of Halesworth.

At present many commuters have to park on residential streets or pay to use small car parks and Bill Pagan, chairman of the town council, welcomed the idea of having a commuter car park.

He said: “A compromise is needed between residents, shopper and people who work in the shops. So far the councils have got right ideas for Halesworth. There may be a possibility of car parking for commuters on Angel Link.”

Douglas Mizon,secretary of Halesworth Business Connections, was at the meeting and said it was important to think about shoppers driving into the town as well as businesses.

He said: “A number of businesses suffer quite a lot if they have several people working for them them. Some pay for car parking and use car parks while others park in residential areas close by and cause a nuisance to residents. Some business people who go in and out of the town need to park near their offices while others stay in their offices all day and could park outside the town centre. But if customers can't come into the town, there's no point business being there.”

Proposals include changing the free two-hour parking in the Market Place to one-hour, but this has angered the Parochial Church Council of nearby St Mary's.

Secretary Jenny Griggs said: “This would have a serious impact on mourners at funerals and cause considerable distress.”

Other changes include transforming the free long stay car parks at the old Post Office and Station Road to a pay and display car park for up to two hours and a residents car park respectively.

Also increasing half-hour waiting periods in Chediston Street and in London Road to one hour and two hours respectively.

A public consultation on the proposals will take place in a couple of months.