RESIDENTS of Witham want action on dangerous parking across the town.

At an evening meeting last Wednesday, organised by Witham Neighbourhood Watch, residents were given the chance to air their views on the town's current parking problems.

Witham Town Councillor Phil Barlow (Labour, Witham North) attended and will now take residents questions forward to the North Essex Parking Partnership, Essex Police and Witham Town Council.

Mr Barlow said: “We had a number of issues raised about possible commuter parking but certainly nuisance parking up curbs making it difficult for mobility scooters and buggies.

“The problem can be that the issues are covered by different regimes.

“If they are parking on yellow lines it is down to the parking partnership but things like obstructive parking, like what happened in Walnut Drive, is an issue for the police.”

Back in May, a silver Golf was removed from Walnut Drive by police after blocking off the residential street.

Drivers took to mounting the grass verge on the pavement to get past, and afterwards calls were made to introduce permit parking or double yellow lines in the street.

Mr Barlow said: “Some of the problems are caused by commuters and some are caused by people who work in the town.

"The problem is finding out which is which and deciding who we need to contact to solve the issues.

“I will be going to get some definitive answers to these questions.

“This probably is the start of a process and we won’t solve any problems straight away but we will at least be better informed.”

Other issues such as disabled parking bays and Braintree Council's new charging policy, were also discussed.

A potential one-way system for Allectus Way, an idea that was consulted on several years ago, was also brought up by residents, with many suggesting a new consultation should take place.

Tina Townsend, coordinator of Witham Neighbourhood Watch, said: “It was an emotive subject for some people and it can be sensitive.

“Everyone was allowed their turn to speak and I think everybody came out of it pleased that somebody is trying to do something.”

Witham Town Council’s environment committee next meets on July 26, and residents with concerns about parking have been urged to attend.