FRINTON residents are being called to have their say to avoid “chaos” in the high street.

This follows complaints that Connaught Avenue is often blocked by lorries and other large vehicles.

Frinton Residents Association (FRA) is undertaking a survey of businesses and residents, encouraging them to fill in a questionnaire.

Already, it has met with officials from Essex County Council about the issue.

It would like to ‘discourage’ large vehicles from using the route and for businesses to have their deliveries before 9am and after 6pm.

Chairman Neil Churcher said: “It can be a nightmare. Sometimes it is okay but at other times we have traffic blocked. Lorries can’t get past each other. There are coaches, horseboxes, all sorts.”

“This isn’t helped by large scale commercial vehicles delivering during the day and sometimes double parking. At times it’s chaos!” he added.

The Frinton Business Group will today hear of the questionnaire at St Marys Church Hall during a 5.15pm meeting.

Chairperson Amber Abrahams said: “Parking for vans is a problem because the businesses don’t always have back entrances. I feel that is going to be an issue. We do need something doing to the avenue.”

The businesswoman said problems have worsened since the road was narrowed some years ago to make the pavements wider.

“What would be good, would be a lower speed limit. The amount of wing mirrors I can see getting smashed whilst sitting in my shop is amazing,” she added.

Frinton town and district councillor Nick Turner said he was keen to see the results of the FRA survey but warned: “People just have to be careful.”

“Tendring Council has taken soundings. People in Old Road and Queens Road would be more upset if traffic was passed down these roads,” he said.

Coun Turner said there are also problems with existing two hour parking restrictions.

People are having a meal in the cafes and restaurants and are exceeding the two hour limits, leading to fines.

Mr Turner said: “I am working with the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) to make it less harsh.”

“If the public want it, we will see if we can provide it. We also have to look at the wider picture. If it’s not detrimental, we can put it on a list for the NEPP,” he said.