People living near Stansted airport are becoming increasingly irate about the 'nightmare problem' of flyers leaving cars parked in nearby villages.
Some travellers park their cars in nearby towns and villages to avoid paying the airport's long-stay parking charges.
Stansted owner BAA said it recognised the problem of 'fly-parking' and was carrying out a survey to assess its scale.
Trevor Allen, chairman of Takeley Parish Council, said two of the roads in the village which were particularly affected were Rose Acres and Garnetts, which were close to the airport.
"It is not illegal; anyone can park on the public highway, but it is very annoying and inconsiderate.
"For children travelling to school along Rose Acres, it also presents a problem of safety," he added.
Mike Wood, leader of Bishop's Stortford Town Council and an East Herts District Council member, said: "It's a nightmare problem in Bishop's Stortford, affecting literally seven out of every ten roads," said Mr Wood.
In October last year BAA agreed to carry out a study on the extent of airport-related parking on local roads.
The airport operator also opened a 24-hour freephone data-gathering hotline to give the general public the opportunity to leave details relating to perceived instances of airport-related parking. The hotline number is (0800) 7312385
A man who operated an illegal car park - allegedly to provide cheap airport parking - has been fined £50,000.
Uttlesford District Council (UDC) brought the prosecution against Bradley Goodwin of Buntingford for operating the scheme in Great Hallingbury.
Goodwin was fined £50,000 plus £3,250 court costs at Cambridge County Court on Tuesday for being in breach of a previous court order that ordered him to cease car parking at Anvil Cross.
The fine is believed to be the among the highest ever awarded against a single person in this type of case.
Michael Perry, the leading legal officer at UDC, said: "I was particularly keen to secure a committal in this case because of the flagrant way we were ignored for so long.
"It was also important in that it sends a very loud and clear message to anyone who may be thinking of undertaking illegal development in Uttlesford. Don't!"
Published Thursday June 17, 2004
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