RESIDENTS living near a busy supermarket say drivers’ inconsiderate parking is making their lives a misery.

Shoppers using the Tesco Express store in London Road, Rayleigh, are stopping on double yellow lines and clogging up surrounding roads including nearby Vernon Avenue.

Motorists are also bumping up grass verges and parking across driveways - causing a nuisance for people living nearby.

Paula Steadman, who has lived in Vernon Avenue for the past 30 years, said the problem needed sorting soon. S

he said: “Every Sunday afternoon is ruined for us residents because of the inconsiderate and illegal parking of Tesco customers.

“They will do anything to park as close to the store as they can and don't care if they park on the double yellow lines, on the drop down kerb area thereby obstructing the pavement, grass verges and over residents' driveways as they are ‘only popping to the cashpoint’.

“It is making our lives a misery.”

The Tesco opened in February this year, replacing an empty former off-licence.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said they were aware of the problem.

He said: “Essex Highways is working with the Local Highways Panel to investigate the potential installation of bollards across the footway at the junction of Vernon Avenue to prevent parking on the footway and associated damage from vehicles.”