YEARS of parking problems for residents living near a major banking headquarters could be about to end.

The Royal Bank of Scotland is believed to be on the verge of submitting plans to expand the car park at its base in Thanet Grange, Southend, to stop staff clogging up surrounding streets with their cars.

Despite employing more than 2,500 people, the site currently has spaces for just 770 vehicles, leaving many residents frustrated about the number of cars diverted to their roads during the day.

Mark Flewitt, a Tory councillor for the area, said he was delighted with this news.

He added: “This has been a long, long effort to try to get something changed for the benefit of the people who live here.

“I think RBS deserves to be praised for the positive attitude it has taken towards this, because it has become a real issue for residents.

“We have cars parked up to 15 or 20 minutes walk away, which is a big area to be affected.”