CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed news that a loophole which has seen rail commuters save thousands in parking fees is to come to an end.

It comes as a service road running parallel to Wickford High Street is about to have restrictions slapped on it to stop people parking there.

The Echo understands that from the end of this month, the road will only accept vehicles loading for 30 minutes, and that parking will not be permitted.

It is understood the road was originally part of a one way system in the centre of Wickford before the Ladygate Centre Shopping Centre was built in the Eighties.

As a result the stretch of road has since been used by High Street businesses to accept deliveries.

However an absence of parking restrictions has meant the road is also clogged with more than 20 commuters parking there daily, thus saving money.

A season ticket at the NCP-run car park at Wickford Station currently costs £1,411.

Alan Ball, Wickford Independents councillor for Castledon, says he has been working with Iceland supermarket, one of the businesses affected.

He said: “When I first got elected, it was one of the first things I wanted to sort out.

“David Harrison and I have put a lot of work in to try and bring this forward as quickly as possible, and it’s frustrating it has taken such a long time.

“There have been a lot of councillors who have just let it slide, but we haven’t given up. I know it has been bothering Iceland for a long time, and I guess with their goods they need to get in and out as quickly as possible when doing deliveries.”

Mr Harrison, Wickford Independents councillor, says it marks the end of a two-year campaign to bring the regulations into play. He said: “It has taken a long time to come forward, but it is very good news.

“People have been parking there and it has costs thousands for the road to be repaired because of the number of cars going down there.

“There’s also the hammerhead at the bottom of the road where people wait too and use it as a turning circle. I have been told businesses aren’t too happy at this.

“Hopefully this will bring it to a stop once and for all and people take notice of this.”