A BADLY congested road that has frustrated residents for years will finally get long-called for parking restrictions.

Traps Hill, in Loughton, currently has no restrictions on either side for much of its length, and has become a favourite parking area for motorists avoiding charges at the nearby car park.

After years of campaigning from residents, Essex County Council has now said it will place no waiting 9.30am to 6.30pm restrictions down one side of the road.

The move has been welcomed by staff at the Traps Hill Surgery who had written to the council complaining about the current situation.

Surgery receptionist Val Griggs said: “It's good news. Let's hope it's not too long before they do it.

“At the moment the traffic is a nightmare. We have trouble getting in and out of the doctors' surgery because of the way people park. It causes a lot of hassle between people who won't give way. Also if we had a dire emergency where we needed an ambulance quite often they couldn't come here.”

Loughton county councillor Chris Pond said: “It's something I've been pressing for for two years. It's a perennial complaint because people park there all day. There've been one or two scrapes and near misses because it's a busy road with about six buses an hour and the most terrible obstructions. I saw one incident where one driver refused to budge and blocked the road.”

The proposed restrictions are currently in a consultation period and people have until Friday, August 20, to make comments to the county council.