THE controversial closure of Gorleston Pier car park has been branded another example of the town's “poor relation” status.One of the town's two county councillors, Labour's Colleen Walker, has said money must be found to repair and reopen the car park.

THE controversial closure of Gorleston Pier car park has been branded another example of the town's “poor relation” status.

One of the town's two county councillors, Labour's Colleen Walker, has said money must be found to repair and reopen the car park.

Owners EastPort announced in June that the car park at the popular wave-watching spot has shut indefinitely because the uneven surface made it unsafe to use.

Since the gates were locked there has been increasing traffic chaos along the seafront with cars parking in coach bays and on verges.

Magdalen division county councillor Mrs Walker is planning to raise the issue with fellow county councillors in a bid to reverse the decision.

She said: “The car park's closure has caused an awful lot of traffic problems given how busy the seafront gets in the holiday season.

“If there is a health and safety problem then it should be fixed - why wait until it gets worse.

“The pier is an important asset for the town and cannot be left to deteriorate and fall into the sea.”

She added: “Money can be found for the redevelopment of Yarmouth seafront and the big screens. Yarmouth is important because of the tourist industry, but Gorleston has a lot of visitors too. It is just another example of the town being treated like a poor relation.

“The bulk of council tax revenue is raised in Bradwell and Gorleston, but we get nothing back. Cash should be available from a variety of sources - where there's a will there's a way.”

Mrs Walker also pledged to back campaigners fighting to reopen the car park.

A petition, signed by 560 people at last month's Cliff Top Festival, calling for the car park to reopen has been presented to Yarmouth MP Tony Wright.

And more than 220 names are now posted on an online petition on the website of prime minister Gordon Brown, organised by Gorleston man Dennis Durrant.

Audiences at the town's Pavilion Theatre were being urged support the online campaign and Mr Durrant has distributed copies of the petition amongst seafront businesses including many pubs.

EastPort chief executive Eddie Freeman told the Mercury this week the position remained unchanged and the car park remains closed indefinitely.

To sign the online petition visit www.gorleston-heritage.co.uk or www.gorlestonpavilion.co. uk