A RESIDENTIAL street has become inundated with commuter cars after their road was left without any parking restrictions.

Essex County Council has painted yellow lines on roads around Theydon Bois station with restrictions to stop commuters leaving their cars there all day.

But those living along Purlieu Way said that their road has been missed out and they are now unable to park outside their own homes because of the huge volume of cars parked in the street.

Mike Stringer, 54 said: “We are not happy about it. It's a residential area and I don't understand why this one road was singled out when everywhere else has yellow lines.

"From what I understand, one person objected and the council listened to them. We will end up getting all the cars coming from all over the village and it will be a nightmare.

"When I left yesterday morning at 7.15am and I saw someone park down my road and get out and walk to the tube station. Once more people realise there's nowhere else to park other than here they will all come to us.

"There are quite a few old people living in the road and if they can't walk very far and can't park outside their house it might be a bit of a problem.”

Mr Stringers neighbour added: “I am very concerned about the lack of yellow lines and it is affecting us very badly already. There are so many cars parking along our road and it's blocking it all up.”

Businessman George Dilloway has been trying to create a car park in Theydon Bois to ease the problem of commuters dumping their cars.

The council rejected his application but he has now decided to re-submit it in a few weeks.

He said: “We are trying to resolve the issues that were bought up. It's a crazy situation. There are so many problems with commuter parking yet they refused our application and make us jump through so many hurdles to get anything done. It could relieve so much unnecessary stress for everyone.”

But Mr Stringer said a commuter car park was not the answer.

He added: “It's a small village and if you put a car park in with 300 spaces it will attract more commuters here and you will get far more than 300 turning up. Then where will they go? They will probably come and park down our road.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council did consult with residents over possible extensions to parking regulations around Theydon Bois station, and the response from residents of Purlieu Way was that yellow lines were not required. "We have recently carried out some minor extensions to parking regulations, but we are always willing to listen if residents have further requests or comments.”