A RESIDENT who was told parked cars act as a traffic calming measure thinks the idea is "pathetic".

Barry Klarnett, a delivery driver of Maltings Lane in Witham, wrote to Essex County Council about painting double yellow lines down his road.

It is one of the main roads in to the town and Mr Klarnett feels the parking on both sides is getting out of hand.

He called for the yellow lines back in 2008 but was told parked cars were good for traffic calming.

Following a number of accidents in the town, such as one including a schoolboy being hit outside New Rickstones Academy last month, he feels the issue needs to be looked at again.

He said: "Even with the cars parked down Maltings Lane people go down there at what seems like 50 miles an hour.

"One day I had to go out and call the police as there were cars parked on both sides of the road and a lorry couldn't get through.

"Maltings Lane is one of the main thoroughfares through town, yet it is a small road.

"During the school runs it gets so dangerous, your heart is in your mouth all the time.

"Unless someone gets seriously hurt or killed they are going to do nothing, and the response is pathetic and childish."

He also flagged up people parking on speed bumps at Hatfield Road, and along both sides of Elizabeth Avenue.

In April Stephensons buses had no choice but to withdraw the number 90 from going down Elizabeth Avenue, as people were parking inconsiderately.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “We are aware of residents’ concerns in this area and the issues caused at drop off and collection times at the local school. However there are already parking restrictions in place nearby, along with a traffic system designed to slow vehicles near the school.

“There are criteria in place that must be followed when introducing any kind of parking restrictions, but the risk of stopping parking through yellow lines is that you simply move the problem on to another area.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, and this may be an issue that the local councillor will wish to bring up at the local highways panel.”