A HOUSING association is attempting to fix Witham's parking problems by creating 10 new spaces in a busy road.

Residents in Forest Road, Witham, have been campaigning for action to prevent commuters clogging up their road since 2013.

They said parking problems became worse after double yellow lines were painted down one side of nearby Cypress Road in 2008.

Greenfields Community Housing is applying to Braintree Council to turn an area of grass into 10 tarmac parking spaces at the back of number 26, Forest Road.

Phil Barlow, prospective Labour MP for Witham and town councillor in charge of parking, said it was good news but he wanted residents to have more involvement.

He said: "Parking is at a premium down there but I wasn't aware of the plans.

"Anything that helps provide parking, particularly for residents, would be welcomed.

"Greenfields are aware of the work I have done to help improve parking and I would have hoped they would have talked to ward members.

"No matter where you are in Witham there seems to be parking problems, but Forest Road may be quite a useful place to have parking.

"I would imagine residents would be happy to see that area of land converted, it is messy and if it was to be tidied up I'm sure very few people would object."

As the parking would be situated behind the houses, it would be for residential use.

Resident Susan South said: "It would have been better to put up parking restrictions instead or parking permits.t

"There are six cars between four houses so it's getting hard to park.

"Commuters are even parking on corners and causing problems for emergency services and binmen.

"Unfortunately no matter how many car parks there are it's the free parking commuters are after."

A spokesman for Greenfields said: "We’re creating these parking bays to help to address the current parking issues in the area.

"We are currently assessing whether these will be chargeable parking spaces."

Phil Barlow is standing against Conservative Priti Patel, Green candidate James Abbott, and Lib Dem Jo Hayes.