New flood warning signs for the beach road at Brancaster

But officials say while they can warn people, they can't stop them using the route or queuing during high-risk tides.

Beach Road, which leads to the car park at Brancaster Beach, is prone to flooding during spring tides.

Some drivers queue along Common Lane and wait for the tide to turn, causing a tailback stretching back to the main coast road, while others risk being cut off or getting their vehicles swamped.

Gridlock in Brancaster, as drivers queue to access Beach Road (Image: Amy Loose) Now Norfolk County Council is proposing warning signs on the main A149 coast road.

The devices would be triggered by a sensor monitoring water levels on the marshes.

But in a report to Brancaster Parish Council, officials say: "It must be remembered the signs are only warning of a hazard on the highway, they are not mandatory signs.

"We are not closing or preventing the use of the highway should drivers still want to use the highway."

Beach Road at Brancaster is prone to flooding during high tides (Image: Chris Bishop) They add many people will be aware that the flooding is only temporary and may decide to queue and wait for water levels to recede.

"We would hope that there will be some reduction in traffic volumes, but there will undoubtedly be some congestion at times."

Queues and congestion have been a bugbear both for villagers and those passing through Brancaster on the A149 in recent years.

They led locals to set up an action group to combat snarl-ups, while new parking restrictions are also in the pipeline.

Brancaster parish council heard the signs will cost £20,000. It has written to Norfolk County Council asking how much it will be asked to pay towards them.