Southend Council has been accused of turning a blind eye to illegal parking in a road near the seafront, which residents claim is causing problems for emergency vehicles.

Following pressure from people living in Shorefield Road, near the Cliffs Pavilion, the area is among those to be included in a review of the evening enforcement of parking regulations.

David Cousins, who lives in Palmeira Mansions, said the problems in the road were being caused by motorists who parked on double yellow lines and on the pavements to visit the area's restaurants, which are popular with people from a wide area.

Mr Cousins said he was concerned about the decline in parking enforcement during the evenings since the council had taken over control from the police.

He added: "In my view, the council is mistaken if it thinks fewer people will visit the restaurants if they are prevented from parking their cars across the double yellow lines and on the footway opposite the restaurants.

"Before the enforcement of traffic regulation passed from the police to the council, there was more rigorous evening and night-time enforcement in Shorefield Road and the restaurants were just as popular.

"Instead, motorists parked on the seafront or in the car park just up the road next to the Cliffs Pavilion."

Mr Cousins said on a recent occasion, an ambulance and a lifeboatman, both answering emergency calls, had been delayed.

Council assistant director of technical services Graham Dare said the council was targeting its enforcement on safety, keeping traffic flowing and freeing up car parking spaces.

He added: "Because of these priorities, we do very little evening enforcement in the town."

Published Thursday August 19, 2004

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