Tough restrictions to stop commuters parking in a residential street have been called for.

Cars parked throughout the day in Armond Road, Witham, are becoming increasingly hazardous to pedestrians and motorists.

And commuters who dodge having to pay to leave their vehicles at the railway station car park are causing resentment among residents.

They claim the number of cars parked in the area at night and at weekends is far less than during the week.

Now Witham Town Council has approached its counterparts in Berkhampstead and Billericay for advice on how best to combat the problem.

Speaking at a meeting of the town council's planning committee, Kathie Tearle said: "This problem has got worse in the last six months and it's a nightmare there now.

"If we had a waiting restriction of one hour it would bring an end to this commuter parking."

Dan Ezra added: "People would rather drive 100 yards than walk. We should be encouraging them to walk and ride instead of parking and riding."

Robert Evans said: "In other parts of the country they have been able to tackle this problem and I don't see why we can't do the same."

Another suggestion made in a previous town council meeting involved a no-parking restriction for an hour in the middle of the day.

The committee agreed to discuss the problem again next week at a traffic management liaison meeting. Meanwhile, Essex County Council will continue to explore ways to move out the commuter cars.

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