West Ham fans have been told they need ‘lessons in parking considerately’ with complaints that match-day traffic is stopping residents in Shenfield from accessing their homes.

Brentwood Council has said it will keep making Sunday parking free but in Shenfield car parks it will be limited to a three–hour parking limit.

That is meant to deter football fans from filling up car parks around the station that otherwise are needed by people using shops and restaurants in Shenfield.

But inconsiderate football fans – particularly West Ham supporters – have come in for particular scorn as the council heard very few are prepared to pay for parking in car parks around Shenfield station as they head into the capital for home ties. Arsenal supporters have also come in for criticism.

Councillor David Worsfold (Lib Dem, Shenfield) said: “On really busy match days they are already parking all the way down Oliver Road right up to Shenfield School.

“West Ham fans could do with getting a few lessons in parking considerately. They arrive late, plonk their cars anywhere. They don’t take any notice of people’s driveways. We have a problem and we need to find a way to address it.”

He added that proposals for restricting parking with double yellow lines have failed to proceed anywhere largely because of residents’ concerns that restrictions will prevent their visitors from being able to park there either.

Councillor Worsfold said: “There is a massive problem, particularly when West Ham are playing at home and to a certain extent when Arsenal are playing at home.

The council car parks do not fill up. People do not want to pay anything. They can park on the streets for free and that is what they will do.”

Councillor Keith Barber (Cons, Hutton North) said: “Lots of residents of Alexander Lane will tell you every time there is a match on a Sunday they get an awful lot of parking outside their home and some can’t even access their properties.”