Residents and business owners have hit out at motorists who are parking illegally in Sprowston.

Police have launched Operation California to crack down on illegal parking in Wroxham Road and Merlin Avenue.

PC Iain McNaughter, who is leading the campaign, said: 'Illegal and inconsiderate parking in theses areas has been a source of frustration and a danger to both pedestrians and other road users.

'A lot of the problems are caused by motorists flouting the law by parking on double yellow or zig-zag lines to use the local shops.

'The restrictions are there for a reason. By parking in the area drivers are causing blind spots for other road users and could lead to incidents.'

A resident who wished to remain anonymous said: 'I see people on the double yellow lines all the time. It's an ongoing situation.'

Businesses in Wroxham Road said the problem was mainly motorists parking on double yellow lines.

Debbie Bardwell, manager at Age UK, in Wroxham Road, said: 'We do have people come in and complain about it. I'm surprised we haven't seen a serious accident yet. A lot of the trouble is if they can't get in they will put their indicator on and sit by the side of the road on the double yellow lines.'

Melissa Burton, of MCB property specialists, also on Wroxham Road, said the problem was mainly around peak times including when schools finished.

Blockbuster store manager Chris Bolden said: 'It's a problem now and again. It's always busy in this car park. Some people have complained because they have been blocked in.'

Roger Johnson, manager of Bateman's Carpets said: 'There's a problem, I see it every day. People think they will just nip into the shop but when they try and leave the car park they can't see. It's a busy road and people are parking on it.' However, not everyone agreed it was a problem. Brendan Tillett, team leader at Tesco, said: 'I have heard about Operation California. There's not much we can do about it, I don't think it's that big a problem.'

Do you have a community story for the Evening News? Contact Lucy Wright on 01603 772495 or email lucy.wright@archant.co.uk