The crackdown by parking enforcement officers in Tattingstone has begun.

At least three cars were ticketed today after illegally parking along Lemons Hill bridge by the Alton Water reservoir and other drivers can expect to be ticketed from tomorrow, and over the weekend, if they breach regulations.

Today's ticketing means at least three times as many drivers were issued with penalty notices (PNCs) in Tattingstone as the whole of last month, while 30 more were issued elsewhere on the peninsula in a single month.

A string of complaints by residents and councillors, culminating in a county councillor being verbally abused (full story here) and representations by Tattingstone Parish Council, David Wood and Babergh councillor Jane Gould has prompted the Civil Parking Enforcement team (CPE) to finally prioritise the problems in the area around Alton Water

A spokesperson for Babergh's Civil Parking Enforcement, which is managed by Ipswich Borough Council, said: "Ipswich Borough Council's parking team have offered reassurance that they are aware of concerns raised by councillors, and that their Civil Enforcement Officers have been visiting the areas of concern to address the issue.

"They will continue to carry out necessary checks to help resolve this."

Many people parking in areas away are understood to do so in order to avoid car parking charges, starting from £1.70 at Alton Water visitor centre, while the many free car parks around the reservoir fill up quickly.

While Suffolk police will deal with certain issues regarding illegal parking, in particular obstruction of the highway, many councils, including Babergh, took over responsibility for parking issues in car parks and on street violations.