RESIDENTS want to take matters into their own hands in an attempt to prevent commuters parking outside their homes.

People living in Shoebury High Street and other roads around it want to pilot a scheme which would see them produce their own parking permits to stop them battling with train passengers for spaces.

Residents claim they are having problems finding spaces outside their homes because commuters who use Shoebury railway station are taking them.

Permit schemes have been offered in the past through Southend Council, but these have been turned down by residents because of the cost.

Claire Bibby, 40, of Southchurch Avenue, Shoebury, has found commuter cars blocking her driveway.

Mrs Bibby, who is the Independent candidate for Southchurch in May’s council elections, feels the pilot scheme is a good idea.

She said: “Even though there is a car park for the station, people don’t want to pay to park so they’ll just find the nearest place they can park free.

“When summer comes, it gets worse. People wanting to use East Beach will park in the streets as well, because they don’t want to pay at the car park by the beach.

“I think a pilot scheme like this would be great as it will see the residents taking ownership of the problem.”

In a straw poll at a residents meeting on March 12, the majority of those in attendance agreed the plan was worth investigating.

A working party is now expected to be set up, with residents and councillors looking into how the scheme would work.