RESIDENTS of a Norton street are to be asked whether they would be in favour of buying extra land to ease parking problems.

Ryedale District Council is looking to work with town councillors to find a solution to congestion in Vine Street.

The district council is proposing that residents with access to the land at the bowling club, which is owned by Norton Town Council and used as allotments, be allowed to park at the rear of their properties.

Roger Barnsley, an officer from the district council, said they were considering an access road to ease the parking problems in Vine Street.

“We will work with Norton Town Council to achieve these objectives and it is our intention to contact all the owners and sell individual plots depending on requirements,” he said.

“It is not the intention of the council to use the money for any other purpose than to construct a proper access road down the side of the bowling club.”

Norton mayor Councillor Di Keal said she thought it was an excellent proposal.

“Anyone who uses that street will know how dreadful it is and any improvement will be very welcome,” she said.

Councillor Judith Denniss said she felt residents would support the proposals.

“I know there are lots of problems in the street, particularly with refuge collections,” she added.

However, Councillor David Lloyd- Williams proposed that the town council should ask residents for their views before taking the plans any further.

“While it does sound a good idea in principle, and not before time, will people these days be willing to put their hands in their pockets to pay for the land?” he said.

“Also, a number of properties in the street have multi-occupants and absentee landlords who may not be interested.

“I feel we should ask residents for their opinions because although they will benefit from this, some may not want to and I would rather it was them who made the decision.”

Councillors agreed to write a joint letter with Ryedale District Council to householders in Vine Street.