PARKING restrictions in Market Hill, Halstead, are not enforceable, it has been revealed.

Essex County Council put up signs last year banning everyone except market traders from parking on Fridays from 6am until 6pm.

However, the signs are meaningless unless Essex County Council makes a traffic regulation order on Market Hill.

It has delayed the decision because the parking ban is under review.

Halstead Town Council and Haylock Services, which collects rent from stallholders, wants the restriction extended to Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The county council says it will not be in place until May next year at the earliest.

A council spokesman said: “The Friday market trader-only parking restriction has been advertised.

“However, Halstead Town Council has since asked to extend the facility for market traders-only parking to Tuesdays and Saturdays.

“It was agreed to have market trader-parking on all three days, from 6am until 6pm, but to reduce the area they can park in by half.

“We intend to advertise our intention to introduce these alternative parking restrictions in the next financial year. The public will have the chance to comment on the proposal.”

Joe Pike, Halstead county councillor, said he hoped motorists would be sensible about parking despite the restrictions being unenforcable.

He said parking problems would only deter stallholders from coming to Halstead.

Drivers can park free for one hour on Market Hill between 8am and 6pm Monday to Thursday and on Saturdays.