A ROAD being used as a car park is putting people's lives in danger, residents have said.

Double yellow lines in Guithavon Valley in Witham have forced commuters to park in nearby Mill Lane.

Crispin Hall, 61, who lives down Mill Lane, has been trying to raise awareness for the past year.

He said cars have to swerve past the parked cars, which is dangerous for everyone.

He said: "It's not a wide road and where we live there is no pavement.

"We have up to 13 cars in a row park down here and it's just causing headaches.

"They are possibly commuters coming into town and it's just getting worse and worse.

"The residents living there are entering the road blindly and it's getting rather unpleasant.

"There's the squealing of brakes, hooting of horns, clenched fists and foul language."

He said he has sent a number letters to the North Essex Parking Partnership and Braintree Council - but says the circle of communication is disconnected.

He added: "It's on a daily basis and we are a fraction away from an accident."

Officers from North Essex Parking Partnership carried out an inspection of Mill Lane last year, but ruled removing parking would increase speed.

An NEPP spokesman said: “The NEPP is continuing to work with the relevant stakeholders including Witham Town Council, Braintree Council and Essex County Council to devise an effective parking scheme in Mill Road, Witham.

“When considering any parking changes, key factors such as local support and potential benefits and impacts are all taken into consideration.

“Once a potential scheme for Mill Lane is proposed, a formal consultation regarding this will take place and interested parties will be able to submit their views for consideration, before a final decision is made”.