I fully agree with your correspondent, E S Parsons (Letters, March 22) that angled parking should be allowed at the shopping parade in Marks Tey.

Vehicles have always parked this way in front of shops, as you can park twice as many in the same space. There has never been an accident here caused by parking and I consider it is much safer than parallel parking for the following reasons: It is safer for drivers and passengers getting out of cars as they can’t be hit by passing vehicles or cycles.

Passing vehicles are not going so fast, as the road is narrower.

There is no danger of reversing cars being hit when reversing lights are showing; approaching cars wait and usually flash to allow them out (usually to fill the gap themselves).

Earls Colne, Halstead and Witham have exactly the same angled parking on busier roads and do not have problems, so why does Marks Tey have a car-load of traffic wardens descend on it?

Is it because it is seen as easy, rich pickings, or because the other three are under Braintree Council?

As chairman of Marks Tey Parish Council, I met officers of Essex County Council in July 2007 to discuss the situation as our local shops were suffering from this invasion. I showed them pictures of the other three towns’ angled parking and even suggested a 20mph zone through the shopping area.

At the meeting, they agreed it could be possible to reach a compromise, but a few days later, a letter from the area highways manager dismissed all the suggestions in the interest of keeping the traffic moving faster through the village.

It is very pleasing to note your correspondent appreciates that Marks Tey Parish Council does try to get local issues resolved and doesn’t give up.

It took 20 years of letter writing and meetings to get road crossings, but we’ve got them now – so never say never!

Nigel Fitch
Chairman
Marks Tey Parish Council
London Road
Marks Tey