Traffic chaos in a popular north Norfolk village has prompted residents to take matters into their own hands.

Amy Loose and Val Carpenter have set up a Brancaster Parking and Safety Team to help alleviate parking and traffic issues, which have seen narrow roads in the area gridlocked.

Eastern Daily Press: From left, Ros Issott, Val Carpenter and Amy Loose from the Brancaster Parking and Safety Team, which has been set up to help alleviate parking and traffic issues in the popular village.From left, Ros Issott, Val Carpenter and Amy Loose from the Brancaster Parking and Safety Team, which has been set up to help alleviate parking and traffic issues in the popular village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)
Mrs Loose, 36, said Brancaster's roads were particularly busy over the past week because tide times have made the beach car park inaccessible by road for a large part of the morning, causing the snarl-ups.

Eastern Daily Press: A car driving along the flooded road by the marshes which leads to the Brancaster Beach Car Park. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.A car driving along the flooded road by the marshes which leads to the Brancaster Beach Car Park. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Amy Loose)
She said: “It has been busy before but not to the degree where it has been complete gridlock, as it has been lately.
“For quite a few years people have been realising what a beautiful beach Brancaster has, and obviously with the lockdowns and rise in staycations more people have been coming here.”

Eastern Daily Press: Traffic queuing at Brancaster. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.Traffic queuing at Brancaster. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Amy Loose)

Mrs Loose said the group, which was working in partnership with the parish council, urged visitors to be respectful when parking, and ensure there was enough space for vehicles to pass.


Eastern Daily Press: Busy roads in Brancaster. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.Busy roads in Brancaster. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)

"When the beach car park fills up, people are likely to spend the whole day at the beach. Then when others come along they're quite happy to sit and wait in the queue and the traffic just builds up. It means residents can't get anywhere and other tourists can't get to where they want to go.

"Emergency vehicles and the double decker buses that come along here have problems passing when vehicles are parked on both sides of the road."

Eastern Daily Press: The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)

Mrs Loose said the aim of the team was to let people sitting in traffic know the reasons for the problems - either the car park being full or the beach road being flooded.

They are also running an overflow car park next to Saxon Field, just off the A149, on August weekends.

Eastern Daily Press: A traffic queue in Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.A traffic queue in Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)

Mrs Loose said: "It's a bit further to walk to the beach from there but the idea is to get as many cars off the verges as possible."

About a dozen people are involved in the team so far, and volunteers are being sought to work 2.5 hour shifts as parking attendants at the overflow site. Visit the Brancaster Parking and Safety Team Facebook page to find out more or fill out an application form.

Eastern Daily Press: The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)

Eastern Daily Press: The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)

Eastern Daily Press: Cars double parked on the curb at Brancaster. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village.Cars double parked on the curb at Brancaster. The Brancaster Parking and Safety Team has been set up to alleviate parking and traffic problems in the village. (Image: Supplied by Amy Loose)