A councillor has described how he has been verbally abused after trying politely to stop visitors clogging up roads around Alton Water and creating chaos for locals.

David Wood, a Suffolk county councillor, received threats and abuse after putting out polite notices to motorists parking along the no parking clearway on the bridge at Lemons Hill, Tattingstone and surrounding roads and country lanes.

Offenders face a fine of £90, unless it is paid within 14 days, whena 50 per cent discount is applied and you may pay £45. If a parking ticket (PCN) is not paid within 28 days, a Notice to Owner will issue to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

There was traffic chaos again today (Sunday, November 22) in and around Tattingstone and Stutton after a huge influx of visitors and a road closure. Cllr Wood, who counted 63 vehicles along Lemons Hill today, has said it is time to get tough.

"This happens every time we have nice weather on the weekend," said Cllr Wood. "I tried putting out some polite notices to remind people they are not allowed to park on the clearway but all I got was abuse, and that is not what I'm paid an allowance to put up with.

"I have received numerous complaints, either when I'm out walking, or at home and I have reported the incident yet again to Ipswich Borough Council."

While Suffolk Police will still deal with cases of obstruction, the main car parking issues in the county are now dealt with by local councils and Babergh use Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) to manage issues like this using Car Parking Enforcement officers.

Jane Gould, a Babergh district councillor whose Orwell ward covers much of the affected area, vowed to also take further action.

"Tattingstone residents are at their wits end because of the thoughtless way visitors to Alton Water park their vehicles," Cllr Gould said. "This is an ongoing issue in Tattingstone, particularly on Lemons Hill bridge and particularly when the weather brings out walkers. I have had emails and telephone calls from dismayed residents who can't drive safely to leave their village because of the obstruction caused by thoughtless parking.

"Whilst we appreciate and applaud the fact that people from out of the area want to enjoy the beautiful scenery and walks that are on offer, as local residents we also ask that vehicles are parked only where they are allowed to and Lemons Hill bridge is a clear way where no parking is allowed.

"As the ward councillor for Tattingstone I will be working with others to address this issue by seeking more robust enforcement and exploring other ways of preventing illegal parking."

A pre-warned road closure close the Kings Head at Stutton, made matters worse as drivers struggled to get along the Ipswich to Brantham Road, but parking issues around the reservoir is a regular problem for locals.

Mike Ewart sent Nub News pictures taken by a passenger in his daughters van and described how his daughter had to drive onto path to get past the illegal parking along the bridge.

Another resident, Simon Page, told Nub News this weekend's problem was not an isolated incident and it was causing great annoyance locally.

"For the last few weeks the car parks at Lemons Hill and The Wonder have been very busy. Once full ,folks just park on the road.

"Lemons Hill bridge is a clearway, which means no stopping or parking. When I have asked folks why they are parking in a clearway the answer is usually that they didn't realise it was or even recognised what the signs even mean.

"The parking management is down to IBC but as yet they have not been active."

Numerous complaints were also made during the first lockdown when parking issues were compounded when Anglian Water closed Alton Water and inconsiderate drivers parked irresponsibly. Although Alton Water and its car parks have remained opened during this lockdown the have installed a barrier system, with automatic number plate recognition, (APNR) at the entrance and exit, with a minimum payment of £1.70 after an initial 15 minute free parking period.