The central verge in Prittlewell Chase outside Southend Hospital was today lined with cones in a council bid to end the chaos caused by desperate motorists.

Southend Council moved swiftly today to impose an emergency traffic order agreed by councillors earlier this week to combat the problem.

It is hoped the measure will deter motorists from using the area as an unoffical overflow to the hospital.

The scene today - cones prevent cars from parking on the verges Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

The Evening Echo told on Tuesday how visitors to the hospital were parking on a grass verge in the central reservation of the dual carriageway after having no luck in the grounds of the building.

Police admitted they were powerless to do anything to close the unofficial "car park" but council officers swung into action after hearing the plight of residents.

Many feared that an accident was waiting to happen, as up to nearly 100 cars lined the verge as fed-up visitors to the hospital took drastic action.

Published Thursday October 17, 2002

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