Residents who fear Southend Council could be creating a deathtrap road by removing yellow lines are to join ranks to lobby the committee making the decision.

The protesters plan to take a coach to the next council meeting that will decide on the matter in a bid to convince councillors the decision would mean mayhem.

Donald Fraser, Leigh town councillor for Herschell ward, said he had been inundated with letters, phone calls and personal visits from locals who were specifically worried about plans for Marine Parade, Leigh.

Southend Council is proposing to remove yellow lines on the road as part of a borough-wide scheme to allow for more parking spaces in the town.

Mr Fraser said residents were worried the narrow Marine Parade, which has already been the scene of several road deaths, would become even more of a blackspot if the changes went through. He said: "I have received 40 letters and am constantly being approached and called by people who are concerned about this.

"Many of the people are planning to put on a coach to take all the protesters to the meeting of the traffic and parking sub committee to make sure they know how people feel."

The committee is due to consider the changes on October 14.