AN investigation has been launched to look into ways of easing traffic congestion on a busy road in Portishead.

Local councillors and police are to join forces to look at ways of stopping people parking for long periods on Harbour Road.

People have been causing problems parking on the side of the road to visit restaurants and bars in the area, despite the fact the Waitrose car park is available during the day for three hours for shoppers and during the evening.

The issue has got worse since a number of new bars and restaurants opened on the marina, all of which have little or no parking. And because Harbour Road is still owned by developers and has yet to be officially adopted by North Somerset Council, no parking restrictions are in place. The working party is due to meet in the new year to look at ways to tackle the problem.

Portishead Town Council chairman Councillor Reyna Knight said: “The problem is being caused by people who are choosing to park in Harbour Road to visit the restaurants and bars in the area. We are very pleased to have all these new facilities in the area and it is great for the town to see new businesses moving in and thriving.

“But there is plenty of parking available for these customers just a few hundred metres away.

“The problem is that there are no restrictions on Harbour Road, which makes parking down there very difficult to enforce. The problem has increased as the number of restaurants in the area has grown and we are hoping to work together to look at ways of tackling it.”

Residents also complain of speeding along Harbour Road and have reported drivers racing along it at speeds of more than 60mph. Police have carried out speed checks in the area to crack down on the problem.

Some people say parking along the route is a good thing as it helps to bring down the speed of traffic.

Part of Harbour Road from the youth centre has been adopted by North Somerset Council, but the main stretch in front of the bars and restaurants is still in the hands of developers. North Somerset Council said it was hoping to eventually adopt the whole of Harbour Road.

A spokesman for Waitrose said car parking at the store was predominantly for customers.

He added: “People visiting bars and restaurants in the area are welcome to use our car park in the evenings after the store has closed.”