DANGEROUS parking outside a village school could be stopped by building a makeshift car park on a greensward, claims a concerned neighbour.

Furious residents have been demanding action about the road misery outside Lawford Primary School for months.

Now Ian Robertson, of Long Road, believes laying plastic matting on a grassy area owned by Essex highways in front of Meadway, between Cox’s Hill and Cornwall Close, would help to ease congestion.

Speaking at Lawford Parish Council last Monday, he said: “Recently, I had a problem with parking in my own house and laid plastic matting on the front lawn. My suggestion is that we lay it and use it for parking at the school.

“I think there would be enough space to park 40 cars on the grass and it would make it much safer.

“At the moment, lots of parents drop their children off and then get other children out of the cars in pushchairs.

“There are children running around and it is very busy.

“It has been a long-term problem and I admit the solution is not fault-free because the grass may get muddy at times.”

Parish councillors were concerned at the impact on neighbours, the cost of the proposal and that commuters using the railway station would fill the car park, but agreed to investigate the scheme.

Council chairman Alan Coley said: “There are lots of things to consider with the proposal, such as getting permission from the landowner, planning consent and the cost of dropping the kerb.

“But we should definitely take it on board and explore it further because we are desperate for solutions to the problem.”

Essex County cabinet member for small scheme delivery, Eddie Johnson, said: “The council welcomes proposals from residents and parish councils.

“They can be made to local county councillors or local highways panels.”