HUNDREDS of parents have signed a petition calling for a car park near a school to remain free of charge.

More than 200 people registered their anger over proposals by Southend Council to charge drivers who use a car park at Southchurch Park East.

The car park is a popular drop-off point for parents sending their children to Greenways Infants and Junior School, in Greenways, Thorpe Bay.

Clive Lucas, 59, of Woodgrange Drive, Thorpe Bay, the Tory candidate for Thorpe ward in May’s local elections, launched the petition to allow parents to voice their concerns to the council.

Mr Lucas said: “I was surprised to see how popular the car park is. I went to have a look myself the other morning to see there were more than 100 cars there.

“Parking is a real problem. If they force parents away from there it would cause parents to park in neighbouring residential streets, which would not be good for people living there.

“I have even heard stories of parents parking on residents’ driveways to drop their kids off in the past.”

Nathan Evans, 44, of St Helen’s Road, Westcliff, whose daughter goes to the infants school, called for a compromise.

He said: “It would cause more congestion to the surrounding roads if a charge was applied, which in turn could lead to safety fears as more children would be walking around with more cars on the road.

“The Hinguar School, in Shoebury, has a car park which allows parents to park for free for periods in the morning and afternoon, so maybe something like that should be implemented here.”

Southend Council insisted it was not trying to “disadvantage” parents, adding it will be speaking with all relevant parties before making a final decision.

Zulfiqar Ali, the council’s highways and traffic manager, said: “Before introducing any changes in this area, we will undertake a consultation, which parents and residents will be able to contribute to.

“The results of this consultation, taking into account the concerns of all those involved, will be reported to the traffic and parking sub-committee and the cabinet committee, before any decision is taken.”