PLANS to ban stopping at any time along a road in Harlow due to concerns around delays to bus journeys and children’s safety has sparked a backlash from residents – some of whom say the prospect of being unable to park their cars outside their homes is impacting their mental health reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Essex County Council has argued the Minchen Road and Maddox Road area of Harlow has increasingly become a problem area for general access. It wants to reintroduce bus services that were withdrawn because of the delays buses met due to parking.

It adds that car parking around junctions also hinders the visibility of children using the footways and increases the potential for accidents.

But the plans for the introduction of red route markings, extended junction protection, speed hump protection zones and larger bus cages have been met with concerns that a significant number of already limited parking spaces would be removed.

Many residents have highlighted that properties lack off-street parking, and that historic redevelopment such as former garage sites has already reduced parking availability.

Some objectors fear that displaced parking would spread onto pavements, verges, side streets and grassed areas, creating new safety issues, neighbourhood conflict and environmental damage.

Some objectors expressed distress, anxiety and concern about the effect on their independence, especially those with medical needs. Others fear disputes resulting from displaced parking, impacts on community cohesion, or increased tension between residents.

One resident commenting on the Minchen Road plans said residents who do not drive will have problems with deliveries and visitors.

They added: “We are all for improvements but not at the expense of our own wellbeing. This will have huge implications for both my wife and me and is already causing great distress on our mental health and feel this will have huge impact on our freedom of passage.”

Another said: “The idea that we should be expected to park further from our homes, in poorly lit and unsafe areas, is not only unrealistic — it is dangerous.

“There is already a growing problem with anti-social behaviour, theft, and intimidation in this area. Forcing residents to walk longer distances in the dark is an invitation for crime and personal harm.”

They added: “When I purchased my property, the availability of street parking was a critical factor. Your proposed restrictions will devalue my home, reduce its future potential, and directly impact my daily life. None of this has been properly considered. The wider impact on safety, crime, mental wellbeing, and even property value has been completely ignored.”

Another said: “Should this go ahead can you tell me where we are supposed to park our cars, are you going to provide drop kerbs free of charge? Why is it always the residents that get punished for other people’s consequences. We have lived here for nearly 37 years, this implementation would be a disgrace, and would incur more problems than it would solve.”

A statement from the council said: “Whilst this proposed scheme will dislodge some parking, which may inconvenience some residents, all the objectors have been advised of the Highway Law “the carriageway is to pass and repass”, which means that no member of public has an automatic right to park on the public highway including outside their own property, even if they have had the privilege for many years. Essex County Council have no responsibility to provide parking. Objectors have also been reminded that they should not be parked on junctions, in line with the Highway Code.”

The proposal seeks to improve safety and support the re-introduction of a commercially operated daytime bus service that was withdrawn due to delays of bus journeys.

It adds: “The proposal now brings in several opportunities for vehicles to pullover to let oncoming vehicles pass. The unpredictability within the bus schedule previously caused initially a reduction in service and then ultimately withdrawal as the nature of the disruption made planning a reliable timetable difficult.

“The withdrawal of the service impacted residents however the implementation of the proposals, as set out in this report, can reduce the unpredictability in the bus service and allow a bus service to operate.

“The restrictions will emphasise to local residents that there are sections of the public highway where they must not park, as lain down within the Highway Code– these include at the mouths of junctions, at bus stop clearways and alongside speed management features.”