|
MEDIA RELEASE
Issued: October 25, 2016
PICTURES: Pictures of the parking in Abridge Road, Theydon Bois, and Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing with local resident David McKelvey can be viewed and downloaded HERE
Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing takes up concerns over commuter parking
The problem of commuters parking along Abridge Road in Theydon Bois is being taken up by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing who says the current situation cannot continue.
Mrs Laing has written to Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst and Essex Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh highlighting the problem along the stretch of road which was the scene of a collision just weeks ago.
Now she is calling for action before a more serious accident occurs.
Mrs Laing says the problem of commuter parking across the district is caused by commuters driving from "many miles away" to park near the Tube stations in Epping, Theydon Bois, Debden, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell.
In her letter Mrs Laing states: "They do this because fares on London Underground are significantly cheaper than fares on the overground railway."
Mrs Laing adds: "Until recently commuter parking was a minor problem which has been dealt with by the imposition of parking restrictions administered by the North Essex Parking Partnership.
"The problem is now getting much worse and the way in which commuters park does not only cause inconvenience to local residents it causes significant danger both to road users and to pedestrians."
Mrs Laing says she intends to highlight "several specific problems" of commuters "persistently" parking on pavements, across driveways and at road junctions, but in her letter focuses on Abridge Road, Theydon Bois, "as a matter of urgency", fearing "lack of action will lead to a serious accident".
Mrs Laing says commuters intending to use Theydon Bois Station and refusing to pay the £5 per day parking charge, or arriving after the car park is full, have previously parked in residential roads.
However now that restrictions are in place drivers are instead using Abridge Road - on the brow of a hill - by the railway bridge.
Mrs Laing writes: "This part of the road is unsuitable for parking. It is a country road with a speed limit of 60mph.
"The white line hatching in the middle of the road indicates that caution is necessary and that there should be no parking. These road markings are persistently ignored."
The stretch of road was the scene of a recent accident involved a driver who collided with a parked car.
Mrs Laing said: "It is pure luck that this accident caused only minor injury rather than death."
She concludes her letter stating: "It is not an exaggeration to say that if action is not taken a serious accident will occur during the dark hours of the forthcoming winter months."
|
