TRAFFIC jams on the road to Leigh Marshes are all down to problems at the entrance to the local tip, a councillor says, The claim was made as Sunday parking problems near Leigh railway station were raised at an Old Town Community Group meeting.

The road leading to Two Tree Island, known locally as Marsh Road, is often blocked on Sundays and residents claim queues of cars outside Leigh tip are the cause.

The group – made up of town councillors, local businesses and community groups – wants Southend Council to look at ways of easing the congestion for people visiting Two Tree Island and the Lazybones boot sale, held in the station car park.

Town councillor Caroline Parker said: “I’ve only experienced it a couple of times, but I decided not to go there again on a Sunday.

It’s an accident waiting to happen.

“The queues there can sometimes go back almost as far as the bridge. In many cases, you’re faced with taking your life into your hands by overtaking as many as 50 cars over a quarter of a mile on a very narrow road.

“There was an idea traffic should be made to queue from the opposite side because there’s a car park across from the tip which is only ever about a quarter full and could possibly be made into a turning point.”

Boot sale organiser Lloyd Dowell said: “On a nice, sunny day, the queue for the tip stretches back to the end of the road, which frustrates everybody.

“I suppose on a sunny Sunday, people like to clear their gardens and try to get down there. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

Martin Terry, Southend councillor responsible for roads, said the layout of the tip was due to change this winter, which could ease the problems.

He added: “Under new contract arrangements for waste and recycling starting in October, both household waste recycling centres will be undergoing a redesign.

“The proposed layout will increase spaces for cars and therefore allow more vehicles on site, which should help to alleviate some of the issues.”