NEGOTIATIONS are underway to alleviate the pressure on parking in a Suffolk town with plans to build a new car parking area.

Russell Claydon

NEGOTIATIONS are underway to alleviate the pressure on parking in a Suffolk town with plans to build a new car parking area.

A shortage of long-stay spaces in Sudbury could be plugged by a deal to secure a piece of wasteland by the town's train station.

Babergh District Council has admitted it is in “detailed negotiations” with Network Rail about purchasing the site of the former railway sidings behind Roy's supermarket.

If the deal can be sealed the council has revealed it plans to create 33 extra parking spaces for the town.

Business and community leaders have welcomed the news, saying the expanding town is “desperate” for the extra provision.

But it comes while the threat of introducing long-stay parking charges to fill a black hole in Babergh's budget is being investigated.

Sue Brotherwood, clerk of Sudbury Town Council, said: “Long-term parking is currently an issue so we would welcome more car parking spaces in the town, as long as they are free.

“Any additional car parking for the town is to be welcomed at the moment.”

John McMillan, president of the Sudbury Society, said: “It is excellent news. There is tremendous potential from that extra land.

“My own experience is there is a lot of stress on long-stay parking and the extra spaces are badly needed.

“I am sure there must be people who have to block out short-term spaces because they cannot find long-stay spaces.”

John Sayers, a town, district and county councillor for Sudbury, said: “They need to be mindful it is a habitat for wildlife and that includes slow worms and lizards but provided that is taken into consideration the additional parking would be ideal. It would certainly take the pressure off long-term parking down there which is desperate.”

A Babergh District Council spokeswoman confirmed: “Babergh is looking at the possibility of securing land at the back of Roy's, in Sudbury, which - if secured - would provide additional parking at the station.

“Babergh is currently in the process of negotiating terms of possible purchase or lease.”