MOTORISTS and residents in Stanford-le-Hope are up in arms after Thurrock Council parking enforcement officers issued a raft of tickets in the town today.

Eleven angular parking bays in the town's King Street were bracketed by signs saying that cable-laying was due to take place today (Tuesday, 25 October) and tomorrow.

The signs warned drivers that the bays were suspended between 8am and 6pm.

The signs were not particularly visible from the road, say observers, and were also not facing oncoming traffic so were missed by some drivers.

And, most damningly say residents, no work took place during the day.

However, that appeared to be because when contractors from utilities maintenance company Morrisons turned up at 8am vehicles were parked in the bays.

The parking time in the spaces is limited so it was likely drivers would have returned, but rather than wait and get set up or put cones up to prevent further parking, the contractors left.

Nevertheless enforcement officers issued tickets throughout the day.

The issue has caused uproar on social media and local councillor Shane Ralph says he will take up the penalised motorists' case.

He told Nub News this evening: "This has not been well managed at all. I am told by shopkeepers on King Street that they knew nothing about what was planned to happen.

"I'm not sure why the workers couldn't have waited nor why the bays were not coned off to stop people parking.

"Then, when it was clear work wasn't going to happen it seems unfair to keep on ticketing. I will be asking our enforcement and highways team to have a look at this.

"If anyone got a ticket they can let me know and I will look into it. There are no promises but I do think this needs investigating. It doesn't appear to have been the best of organisation."

Cllr Ralph's email is [email protected].

Thurrock Council has been asked to comment.