More Avenues parking relief; other Highways issues delayed

11.46.09am GMT Fri 2nd Feb 2007

At long last, notices are being published for the extension of residents' permit parking schemes to Fourth and Fifth Avenue. The lay-bys in Broomfield Road are also proposed to have parking restrictions on them. If matters go as planned, the schemes could be in place by the Spring, but to date progress has regrettably been much slower than anticipated - thanks to the Conservative County Council.

Said local Lib Dem Councillor Alan Arnot, "A key factor in the delay is the Conservative-controlled County Council taking Highways management away from Chelmsford Borough Council. This change was opposed by the Liberal Democrats.

We argued that local issues - such as improved residents' parking and pavement repairs - would be given a low priority. Instead the Conservatives at County Hall are giving priority to excessively car-centred (and often confused) transport policies.