LONG-RUNNING parking problems outside a Thundersley school look set to become a thing of the past, thanks to a series of new congestion-busting measures.

Residents living in Shipwrights Drive and the surrounding streets have complained for years about staff and parents' cars clogging up the area around King John School.

Now Essex County Council, the school and medical equipment firm KeyMed, have joined up to pay for traffic calming measures and extra parking inside the school.

Norman Smith, Castle Point councillor responsible for regeneration, confirmed a meeting had been held with the school, county council and Castle Point Council about a layby being created along the grassy area opposite the school.

The school also has funding to create 35 parking bays for teachers and the county council has agreed to pay for the school's Benfleet Road entrance to be widened.

Mr Smith said: "A new pedestrian crossing will be installed and that will have the effect of slowing the traffic in the Shipwrights Drive area which we are all very keen on.

"Also, there will be restricted parking down there so you can only park for an hour.

"The works will start during the summer school holiday."

Before the measures can be introduced a 28-day public consultation must be carried out to see if there are any objections.

Katrina Bentley, school bursar, added: "We're delighted with the the county council s plans, as it is going to ensure the safety of our pupils as they arrive and go home."