NIGHTMARE parking problems could come to an end as plans are put forward to build a commuter car park.

People living in Theydon Bois have not been able to park outside their own front door because of restrictions introduced to prevent commuters leaving cars in the area.

And commuters have been forced to drive into work rather than use the tube because there is nowhere to park their cars.

But a man from Epping could solve all of their problems with his plans to construct up to 280 spaces next to Theydon Bois tube station.

George Dilloway owns the former Old Forester Club land off Abridge road and decided the area would be ideal for a car park.

He said: "The council haven't provided any options for car parking in the area and at the moment about 60 people are already dumping their cars there illegally everyday because there is nowhere else for them to go with all the double yellow lines. It's a major problem."

Mr Dilloway is hoping that Transport for London will agree to open up the entrance to the tube station to make the car park even more accessible for commuters.

He added: "If they expanded the entrance it could be on the same side of the road as the car park.

"It would also help ease the commuter problem in other areas like Epping where parking is also a nightmare. If you're not there by 6.30am there's no spaces left."

The plans were welcomed by residents.

Clive Cooper from Theydon Park Road is unable to park his car outside his home because of yellow line restrictions introduced to stop commuter parking.

He said: "The restrictions prevent us from parking on our road between 10am and 11am. But that means I can't leave my car there during the day because I can't very well come home and move it during that time.

"If the car park solves the problem and means that these restrictions can be lifted then it's a good thing.

"I can't get the train to work at the moment and have to take the car, it's nonsense. It's affecting everyone and has caused so much disruption. Something definitely needs to be done."

Alison Harvey from Cloverly Road in Ongar used to park in Theydon Bois before the restrictions were put in place.

But she was forced to use a friend's driveway in Epping to get to work when the yellow lines were introduced.

She said: "I'm on maternity leave now but before I left I couldn't find anywhere to park and had to use my friend's drive. I didn't want to do that forever and I was looking into somewhere else to park when I go back to work.

"It will be great if they do make a car park and will certainly put my mind at rest."

But not everyone welcomed the plans.

A spokeswoman from Theydon Bois Action Group (TBAG) said: "The business plan for the car park is unsustainable, the car park would be of no benefit to local people, it is too far from the station and it will cause traffic problems on a dangerous stretch of the Abridge Road.

"It will not alleviate parking problems in the village as commuters will continue to park for free on our roads.

"It would have to be lit and the access road stretching uphill will cause a significant loss of openness on the Green Belt."

People have until January 20 to submit an opinion on the car park application.