An alarming number of frustrated drivers are parking on the central reservation outside Southend Hospital after giving up looking for spaces on the site.
Yesterday there were more than 90 vehicles parked along the grass strip in Prittlewell Chase, as motorists took it into their own hands to find a space wherever they could.
On the verge - cars outside the hospital Picture: TERENCE BUNCH
The drastic measures, being taken by fed-up visitors and patients, highlights the severity of lack of parking spaces at the busy hospital.
Chairman of the Southend Taxi Association, Paul Sutton, told how he saw a number of near-misses as drivers reversed onto the dual carriageway - into the path on oncoming cars.
Mr Sutton said: "It's an accident waiting to happen. It's a mindless situation and someone will get seriously hurt."
A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "It's highly likely that people are parking there because they have been unable to find somewhere to park at the hospital."
Published Tuesday October 15, 2002
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