YELLOW lines could be painted in a residential street to stop parents causing traffic chaos when dropping off their children at school.

Neighbours and councillors have successfully persuaded South Essex Parking Partnership to put single lines in roads surrounding Hilltop Infants and Junior Schools, in Wickford, following years of problems.

The plans will go out to public consultation at the end of the year. Resident Dennis Swaysland, 80, said parking around picking-up and dropping- off times makes the road unsafe due to parents clogging up the road with their vehicles.

He said: “This has been an issue for a number of years.

“A few years ago, an ambulance could not get to one of my neighbours and they had to carry her from her home to the ambulance on a stretcher.

“Another time, a hearse was not able to get along the road, which was very upsetting for the family.”

Funding for the scheme has been approved by the Joint Committee for yellow lines on one side of the road to stop parents double parking.

Under the proposals, the lines would go in Beauchamps Drive, Glenco Drive, Redgate Close and Mercury Close. It would operate from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

Earlier this year, PC Asa Smith and a team of PCSOs from Wickford police station carried out patrols at the end of the school day and handed out a number of fines.

Ukip councillor Peter Holliman, who represents Wickford, said: “This area is unique because there are three major schools within very close proximity. A number of people in my ward have raised issues about the parking.”

Jo Lane, Community Liaison officer at Hilltop Junior School, said: “We have been working closely with Essex Police and local residents.

“We remind parents about safety issues surrounding parking on a monthly basis through our newsletter and on our website.

We also hold a meeting for all new starters at the school, which the police attend, and we warn them about