MOVES to fire the official starting gun for two more residents' parking zones in Great Yarmouth have been shot down. The Labour party-proposed formal consultation begins on new zones covering the town centre from Ormond Road to Friars Lane and the Barrack Estate in south Yarmouth.

MOVES to fire the official starting gun for two more residents' parking zones in Great Yarmouth have been shot down.

The Labour party-proposed formal consultation begins on new zones covering the town centre from Ormond Road to Friars Lane and the Barrack Estate in south Yarmouth.

However, the recommendation made at last Thursday's car parking steering group, was rejected with Conservative councillors accusing the Labour party of wanting to “decimate” the town.

Tory councillor Charles Reynolds said: “For businesses this scheme has been an absolute disaster and now you want to impose on what is left of the shops in Northgate Street.”

But Labour leader Mick Castle replied: “You are jumping to conclusions. We would in fact propose to keep the current time frame spaces at the shops.”

Mr Reynolds said the scheme should operate between 5pm and 9am instead of 8am and 6pm when most people were at work.

“It is quiet ridiculous and this should be knocked into touch now,” he added.

However, Labour's Mike Taylor said: “It's alright for you living in the country, you have all the room to park where you like.”

Mr Taylor, who has a residents permit, said the scheme had been “wonderful” for people living in seafront and centre areas.

Urging councillors to consider the schemes, Labour's John Holmes said it was about improving the quality of life for residents.

Group chairman, Tory Graham Plant, said making the town off-limits to visitors and forcing them into pay and display car parks could put people off visiting Yarmouth.

He said: “If we make the town so everyone pays through the nose to park, I can see resentment with that.”

Proposals were rejected in a vote five to three.