PLANS to combat overzealous off-street parking around Dunmow are underway after it was revealed that cars have previously hindered access for emergency vehicles. Essex County Council has announced a series of new waiting restrictions to stop car owners pa

PLANS to combat overzealous off-street parking around Dunmow are underway after it was revealed that cars have previously hindered access for emergency vehicles.

Essex County Council has announced a series of new waiting restrictions to stop car owners parking up for hours on end to avoid paying town centre or Stansted Airport fees.

Two areas, outside the fire station on Stortford Road and at Church End, have come under particular scrutiny because fire engines have been blocked from leaving the station and, on one occasion, an ambulance could not get to a patient in Church End.

Speaking at a Dunmow traffic management meeting earlier this month, Essex highways officer, Chris Stoneham, said: "Yellow lines will be going down at the end of Church End following a consultation with local residents.

"A few months back an ambulance could not get down to the bottom at Charters because it was blocked by parked cars.

"We have had recently had similar reports from the Dunmow fire service and we have asked them to write in with their concerns."

Yellow lines will also start appearing near to the town centre in a bid to avoid congestion.

Within the next month a consultation will be sent out to residents on Chelmsford Road with a view to placing restrictions in and around the old Kinema (opposite Station Road), on the bridge over the B1256, and around the Flitch industrial estate.

Mr Stoneham added: "Barring any objections to our plans we would anticipate the new restrictions to be in place by the end of the year.

"The measures should also help enhance road safety by improving sight lines as cars turn out of junctions."

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