An angry Colchester resident has called for action over parking problems in the road where he lives.

Paul Newbery has been living in Plume Avenue, Prettygate, for about two years and said he has had constant problems with parking.

His latest concern comes after three cars parked in the street were damaged in one night. Colchester police are aware of the incident.

One of the cars belonged to Mr Newbery's partner's father, John Hick.

Mr Hick, a taxi driver who had rented the car from the company he works for, will now have to pay more than £200 for repairs.

Barry Layzell, head of highways and engineering services for Colchester Council, said: "There is little we can do in this situation. As car ownership increases more use is being made of the highway for car parking.

"This situation becomes more difficult in the vacinity of schools with parents taking children to and from school by car.

"We are, through the safer journeys to school project, carrying out safety work to encourage cycling and walking to schools to reduce this traffic but this will take many years to achieve for all schools."

Mr Layzell said if parked cars become a safety problem restrictions would usually be put in place.

He added: "We should remember the highway is not provided for car parking but for the free passage of traffic."

He said another big problem with parking was caused by parents picking up and dropping their children at Prettygate Infants and Junior Schools.

Mr Newbery explained the road was always busy with traffic going to and from the school and it just wasn't wide enough for the coaches and delivery lorries which used it, while cars were parked on the road.

He explained as he lived in one of the street's corner houses, parking outside his property meant his car was always at risk.

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