“NIGHTMARE parents” who shout, swear and park across residents’ driveways could finally be stopped by a new one-way system and 20mph limit.

Southend Council has launched a consultation with residents asking for their views on the proposals for Richmond Avenue and Waterloo Road, Shoebury, to create “safer streets”.

Shoebury resident, Paul Hudson, 58, has been campaigning for safety measures in Richmond Avenue for years after concerns for the children going and coming to Richmond Avenue Primary and Nursery School.

He said: “The parents are a nightmare. We have had untold rows as the way people drive down here is so bad.

“Parents swear at each other, fight to get a space, and there have been a couple of times where children have almost been run over coming out of the school.

“People abandon their cars, they park outside our house over the driveway. It is an absolute nightmare.

“They just don’t care, speeding both ways. It is a danger to children. It takes seconds for one of them to run out.

“It will definitely help having it one way, and a slower speed limit. The safety of children is paramount, and I have worked so hard to campaign for this moment.”

A petition was previously raised for a one-way system to alleviate the problems.

Southend Council say the survey will be running for six weeks before they further develop the design, addressing the needs of residents and businesses in the area.

Feedback received will be considered and used to prepare a statutory consultation with appropriate proposals.

The council insist they are committed to ensuring that all impacted residents and businesses have the opportunity to express their views before any further action is taken.

The proposed changes are in Richmond Avenue, between Caulfield Road and St Andrews Road, as well as Waterloo Road, between Richmond Avenue and West Road in Shoebury.

The consultation will close at 5pm on August 28, 2024.

To have your say, visit https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/proposed-one-way-20mph-richmond-avenue-and-waterloo-road/surveys/proposed-one-way-20mph-zone-survey.