A TOWN council is attempting to solve its ‘great’ anti-social behaviour problem by making changes to the market place.

Stowmarket Town Council has received a number of complaints about the level of noise coming from groups of people congregating with vehicles at the Market Place at night time.

The council has decided to take action and have the distance between bollards on the Market Place, off Ipswich Street, narrowed to prevent vehicles from gaining access.

Lesley Mayes, town councillor said: “It has been a problem in Stowmarket at night. From the communications from people disturbed by it, it’s a great problem.

“Working with the police, they are trying to resolve it to make it more comfortable for people walking around the town at night. I do know that there’s a lot of noise at night by people. I am hoping the measures will help to resolve it.”

David Blackburn, town clerk, said the police would be increasing the number of patrols in the area after ‘young’ people had been causing ‘significant’ disturbances.

The council has repaired a number of bollards after a series of near misses between vehicles and pedestrians.

A number of new short-stay parking bays will also be introduced around the Market Place with a maximum staying time of 10 minutes.

Town mayor, Anne Whybrow said: “The improvements are being made to the Market Place area to make it a safer place, many of the bollards were in need of replacement so we have taken the opportunity to realign them.

“Changes to parking restrictions are to encourage a safe environment and to help boost both the day and night time economy within the town centre.”

The town council has said that parking arrangements and charges in Stowmarket will be reviewed by Mid Suffolk District Council after they received a number of complaints over the matters.