RESIDENTS have been left shocked that proposed plans to ban commuters from clogging up Lawford’s congested roads could also see homeowners banned from parking outside their homes .

An order to ban parking at any time along Station Road, Queensway, Victoria Crescent and Jubilee End has been made by North Essex Parking Partnership.

The final decision to ban parking seven days a week will be made by the partnership, although residents will be given the chance to have their say.

The proposed ban comes after residents and Lawford Parish Council pushed for changes in the area.

But Julie Langstone, chairman of the highways sub-committee on Lawford Parish Council, said the order to ban parking completely had been made in error.

“We thought we’d asked for it to be restricted from 11am to noon, from Monday to Friday – the same as on Lawford Dale and the industrial estate,” she said.

“We wanted it to be restricted between 11am and noon, but with no waiting on the junctions along the road.

“This was so people who live there could still park, and, in the future, if the all day parking problems then moved onto the Queensway road, we could ask for the same restrictions there .

“This has been going on for a long time and it was hoped it would stop commuters parking around the village .

“We’ve been working towards getting this sorted for three or four years and this is the wrong solution.

“We will now ask for restrictions between 11am and noon, with no waiting at junctions, or if this is not possible we will cancel this request for changes and submit it again.”

She added: “The way people park on Station Road sometimes is appalling.

“Some days there s 15 cars parked along there and it’s not just the width taking up the road, it’s the height as well.

“You can’t see past them and risk having a head-on.”

A North Essex Parking Partnership spokesman said: “A ‘no waiting at any time’ restriction, with double yellow lines, is proposed due to the potentially hazardous parking taking place in the area that may be considered dangerous for any vehicles, including residents, to park there.”

Objections should be made by May 20 by writing to TRO Comments, North Essex Parking Partnership, PO Box 5575, Colchester, CO1 9LT, or e-mail parking at colchester.gov.uk.