POOR parking on a road awash with commuters has created an accident waiting to happen, residents have warned.

With few yellow lines down its length, Stonards Hill, in Epping, has long been a destination for commuters who have now started parking on both sides of the road.

Anna Bloomfield, 46, of Stonards Hill, blamed the situation on commuting council workers.

She said: “Not only can we not see any oncoming vehicles when trying to pull out from behind the grass island, but the vehicles trying to pull out from the recreation ground car park have no vision at all unless they actually pull out into the roadway itself. It is an accident waiting to happen.”

Bill Towers, 59, said: “It's horrific and no-one wants to take any notice. Without a doubt there's council workers there but you also get policemen and people using the tube. I can't get out my drive.”

Stonards Hill is a busy road during the daytime and hosts a popular children's playground.

Resident Colin Lish, said: “The council have put in a new skate park on the recreation ground, which is good, but they haven't put in a safe road to cross.”

Emma Nicolson, 34, said: “Everybody parks here. You've got mums walking along with buggies in the morning and there's the park here as well, and it's quite a busy road. Cars come quite fast.”

Peter Nevill, 72, said: “People park both sides of the road and vehicles can't get through. One time my wife was nearly bowled over. One car wouldn't wait and mounted the pavement to get through.”

Stonards Hill is due to get additional parking measures under Epping's parking review scheme, but the joint Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council project has yet to provide a date for when they will be installed..

Essex County Council has been asked to comment.