EXTRA free parking is to be provided on Felixstowe seafront to ease congestion on the streets, it was announced today.

EXTRA free parking is to be provided on Felixstowe seafront to ease congestion on the streets, it was announced today.

Council chiefs have agreed the Wireless Green area of the south seafront in Langer Road can be used for parking while the �25 million regeneration development is on hold because of the economic downturn.

The land should be ready for use on Sundays from March 1, and will also be open every day during the peak summer months.

“When I announced the disappointing news that the multi-million pound regeneration project for the south seafront was being put on hold because of the economic downturn and the collapse in the housing market, I said we would be looking for ways to make the best temporary use of the land,” said Suffolk Coastal cabinet member Robert Whiting.

“Car parking was an obviously attractive option and after a thorough investigation we have agreed to open up potentially 200 free spaces on Sundays and during the busy summer months.

“I hope this will be a useful boost to local businesses and the resort as a whole, as it is a handy place to park for both the Sunday market but also the new-look beach at south Felixstowe.”

Talks are to take place later in the year with developers Bloors about the redevelopment but no work is expected to start until March 2010 at the earliest.