Jury still out on whether Norwich car park closure a success

Britannia Road residents have had to endure drivers speeding down the 20mph road and gathering at the car park overlooking St James' Hill late at night.

At the end of January the car park was shut between 9pm and 5am as part of a closure order making it a criminal offence for anyone to enter or remain on the site between those times. 

Almost two months into the three month closure and people say the jury was still out on whether it has the desired effect. 

David Newham, 79, who has lived near to the car park for 20 years, said: "There has been more police patrols which may have had an effect on the number of people hanging around.

"But there are still cars coming up here and sometimes I can hear loud music coming from that end of the road.

"I think we will have to wait until we get better weather before we can see whether it has had a noticeable impact."

A woman who has lived in the area for the past five decades, but wanted to remain anonymous, said it was hard to say whether it has been a success.

She said: "I don't think you can really tell at the moment because it's been bitterly cold.

"When it's that cold they don't want to hang about at night.

"I think we must wait and see what happens."

Officers attended Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 27, to gain the temporary closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and policing Act 2014.

Norfolk Constabulary has said it will continue to work with Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and locals to address the issue.