A Tory councillor wants officials to consider allowing residents in a traffic-clogged Westcliff street to park on the pavements.

Roger Weaver thinks the move could help ease problems in Hainault Avenue.

Residents are threatening to take the council to the Local Government Ombudsman over the way they feel they have been treated.

One resident, Alan Abbott, said: "We feel as if we have been treated with contempt.

"If they won't behave themselves, then we will have to bring in someone who might tell them like the ombudsman they might listen to.

"Despite the order being re-imposed, we don't feel we can give up on this.

"The situation is that some people are in is something that we can't forget about."

The problem dates back to last year, when the council admitted a mistake in a highways order meant traffic wardens had no legal power to fine motorists parking on more than 500 metres of yellow lines along the street.

However last May, the traffic and parking management sub-committee approved new bylaws to reactivate the double yellow lines.

Now Mr Weaver, councillor for Eastwood, has called on the council to look again at the idea of hardening pavements to stand the weight of parked cars.

He said: "It's clear that the parking situation is a matter of great concern and distress for residents.

"An item needs to go on the next meeting of the council's planning and transportation committee as soon as possible.

"We should review this year's budget for initiating works to provide partial off-street and on-street parking as a matter of urgency."

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