DESPITE a long-running campaign by residents calling on Thurrock Council to help ease traffic congestion outside a cluster of local schools, a majority of councillors have vetoed a bid to bring in more preventative measures and increase enforcement.

Over the past year Thurrock Nub News has reported several times on problems experienced by residents in the Ward Avenue and Bradleigh Avenue area of Grays and other nearby roads whose lives have been badly impacted by bad parking by parents and carers dropping off and picking up children at Grays Convent, St Thomas of Canterbury Primary and Quarry Hill Primary.

The issue was due to come before councillors in June, but the council's full meeting was abandoned because of technical issues.

However, when it was eventually debated at this week's meeting of the council and despite being told that options to deal with the problem were available, a majority of councillors have turned a deaf ear to residents' pleas.

Grays Thurrock ward councillor Lyn Worrall had put a motion forward imploring the authority to offer more help residents living in Ward Avenue, Bradley Avenue, College Avenue and Cresthill Avenue.

Ms Worrall said the residents were 'trapped' by motorists, saying: "Monday to Friday twice a day, residents living on these roads are effectively held prisoner. If they leave their homes they cannot get back to them.

"This is caused during school drop off and pick up times and frankly, they have had enough. Residents describe this as a daily nightmare and they are at their wits end.

"Footpaths become unpassable and inconsiderate drivers park over dropped curbs, on the footpath and grass verges outside these residents' homes. Those with puschairs and mobility scooters are forced to walk or drive in the road which is not acceptable and frankly is quite dangerous."

Cllr Worrall called for better enforcement of parking infringements and for the council to urge schools to implement travel plans.

She also called for drop off points at schools to be enforced under planning rules.

Ms Worrall added: "Home deliveries are an absolute nightmare. I recently spoke to a resident who had to reorganise a delivery of new furniture because her driveway had been blocked and the car left unattended while the person went into the school.

"Residents have organised and submitted their own petition which demonstrates how passionately they feel about this parking problem. Parking restrictions outside the school are neither adhered to or enforced by the school or the enforcement officers who only attend the school on an agreed rota."

The motion failed to get support from council leader Rob Gledhill who said: "It's not a motion I can support. I do fully appreciate every single problem that residents may be going through in this area. I live opposite a school. I know exactly what it's like having to put out notes for delivery to avoid school times.

"Unfortunately it's one of those things we have to endure. When the schools were built most parents didn't drive to school. It was quite rare.

"Life has changed and unfortunately you cannot change the streets surrounding schools to accommodate this."

Cllr Gledhill said the council could not order schools to implement travel plans and giving extra support from enforcement officers would deprive other schools who had similar problems.