People who live and work in a bottleneck village that is plagued by traffic problems have described the chaos they endure.

Businesses and those living in Coltishall are already concerned about choked up roads and their safety.

These fears are now being elevated by plans to build 1,800 homes in North Walsham, north Norfolk's biggest town less than seven miles to the north. 

But amid fears is also the understanding that more homes need to be built.

Tom Grant, from Hewitt and Grant Heritage Butcher, is one of those concerned about what may happen next.

Mr Grant said: "I'm not a Nimby. I understand it from both sides and we are stuck in the middle.

"It's already busy especially around 9am and 5pm with people commuting.

"I dare say we lose a lot of trade due to lack of parking. 

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Matt Allen the local butcher Tom Grant the local butcher (Image: Jack Warren, Newsquest) "But, there is a need for houses. Plus, houses bring more business.

"I think if we didn't have people coming through then some shops might suffer because we wouldn't get people coming through if we were bypassed." 

Charlotte Landsbrook, a hairdresser who works at FGH salon, said: "We've had a few clients whose cars been hit with wing mirrors coming off and scrapes and stuff, it tends to be the big buses and lorries that are coming through."

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Charlotte LandsbrookeCharlotte Landsbrooke (Image: Jack Warren, Newsquest)

Donna Fox, also of FGH, added: "It is a 20mph limit and many people go faster.

"The traffic is the main topic of conversation in here."

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Donna Fox, local hairdresserDonna Fox, local hairdresser (Image: Jack Warren, Newsquest) Charlie Jefferies, from M Kraft garage, said: "We don't really have problems with the flow of traffic, it is more people trying to go to local shops blocking the drive because there is nowhere to park.

Charlie Jefferies, who works at the local garageCharlie Jefferies, who works at M Kraft garage (Image: Jack Warren, Newsquest)"The traffic is a problem, especially with buses and lorries coming through. 

"It's a tricky situation because we do need more houses to be built.

"We see more houses as an opportunity for more business too."

Villagers in Coltishall recently met with highway bosses and police officers to discuss the problems they face with choked-up roads, telling them they worry lives are being put at risk.

Liz Nelson, who owns Piece of Cake café, said: "With the lorries and buses, I don't know how there hasn't been a fatality.

"It can get gridlocked, especially when Wroxham bridge closed. 

Liz Nelson, café ownerLiz Nelson, café owner (Image: Jack Warren, Newsquest)"With parking too, I have so many older people who struggle with mobility and if they can't park they can't come in. 

"However, if we didn't have traffic going by, then we wouldn't be here."

Matt Allen, who works at Randall's Footcare, said: "It can't get much worse really. I've been working here for 12 years.

"The problem is that there is nowhere to pull up. 

"If there aren't any spaces then people will just go to Wroxham instead if they want to pop into a shop."