Commuters could find themselves being forced to use South Woodham's railway station car park as Chelmsford Borough Council considers introducing no-waiting zones in nearby roads.

Residents have long complained about commuter parking and restrictive parking measures have been mooted in the past.

Now the Essex Chronicle can reveal that Chelmsford Borough Council is investigating banning on-road parking in nearby streets for certain periods during the day.

King Edwards Road resident Polly Lock is so fed up with not being able to get off her drive because of tight parking she has taken direct action, but says it is the borough council who should be acting.

She said: "I have put notes on people's cars asking them politely not to park there, but people are just generally rude about it and I sometimes put a bollard out.

Borough councillor and Woodham resident Maureen Moulds said she was in favour of no-waiting zones, but wasn't without sympathy for commuters who objected to the £1.60 a day charge before 9am.

"The borough council is going to be contacting the rail company with a view to reducing fees."

A spokeswoman for the borough council commented: "The possibility of introducing waiting restrictions around the railway station was discussed at a meeting last week but we are at the very early stages."

Published Friday August 13, 2004

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