Stock Parish Council (SPC) attended a meeting of the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) Sub Joint Committee to consider representations against Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Amendment No 66 relating to Mill Lane, The Square, Back Lane, Cambridge Close, Austen Drive and Swan Lane, Stock on 24 July 2025.
The Parish Council and other stakeholders had been informed by SEPP prior to the meeting that the proposed scheme was not supported and its recommendation was to withdraw the Order in its entirety. SEPP further recommended that SPC continue to engage with all stakeholders to review the proposal and consider alternative options, including a reduction to the original proposed scheme.
SPC will also continue to liaise with SEPP to receive advice on the feasibility of any future proposals.
At the meeting of 24 July, the following statement was read out on behalf of Stock Parish Council:
Stock Parish Council (SPC) notes and has read in full the decision of South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) to withdraw the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for parking restrictions in Stock village in full.
Stock Parish Council has for a number of years received communication from villagers concerned about the parking situation in the village centre and around Stock Primary School.
These concerns centred around irresponsible, obstructive, illegal and dangerous parking at a number of locations in the village centre and close to the school, the latter during drop-off and pick-up times, and the resulting dangers posed to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
In light of those concerns, Stock Parish Council commissioned a parking and road safety survey in December 2023, the results of which showed 82% of the 462 respondents expressed concern over parking issues.
Stock Parish Council discussed the issue at length with villagers in February 2024, and contacted SEPP, whose representatives visited the village in July 2024 and subsequently confirmed that, subject to consultation, parking restrictions could be introduced at relevant sites.
In February 2025, the Parish Council received proposals from SEPP for double yellow lines to be painted in the six roads listed, which were advertised in the village and online.
The issue and proposals were discussed with villagers, businesspeople and organisations at the Parish Council’s meeting in late February 2025, at which it was agreed that we would continue to keep dialogue open and work together to find a suitable solution.
A three-week long consultation period began, ending on Friday 14 March 2025, the results of which have been read and reviewed by the Parish Council.
In making their decision, SEPP acknowledges that ‘obstructive parking hinders sight lines at junctions and bends, particularly for larger vehicles, as well as access and egress to properties’.
SEPP also acknowledges Chelmsford Waste Team’s concerns about ‘poor parking’ causing issues in a number of relevant roads, that ‘Emergency vehicles would face the same issues too’, and that ‘on occasions larger vehicles have been forced onto the wrong side of the junction’ of Mill Road and the High Street.
SEPP point out that it is illegal to park within ten metres of a junction and that doing so would ‘cause a danger to other road users’. Further, SEPP confirm that its own technicians agreed to proceed with the proposed scheme, subject to consultation.
Despite recognising that the concerns of villagers and the Parish Council were valid, and that the actions of those parking illegally are causing danger to other road users, SEPP has decided to withdraw the proposals for restrictions to avert this situation, and clearly outlaw illegal parking in the village.
Stock Parish Council understands the concerns of residents who currently park on the road outside their homes, including those who live on or close to junctions, who have objected to the proposals on the grounds that they would lose their current parking spaces.
Stock Parish Council also understands the concerns of local businesspeople who have objected to the proposals on the basis that the restrictions would negatively affect their businesses.
However, Stock Parish Council would like to restate that it is acting in the best interests of all villagers, acted in response to a large number of villagers expressing concern about parking issues and is concerned predominantly with improving road safety for all road users.
In the Parish Council’s view, SEPP’s decision, while highlighting the issues raised, will see no significant change in the parking situation in the village as motorists continue to park obstructively and illegally in the absence of restrictions.
Stock Parish Council welcomes the opportunity to continue to liaise with SEPP and villagers, businesspeople and Stock Primary School with a view to finding an alternative scheme that will satisfy stakeholders, will not impact negatively on those local residents and businesses, and will improve road safety for all.
Stock Parish Council would like to restate its position that road safety is of paramount importance, and the statements made by SEPP agree that the current parking situation is potentially dangerous, particularly in Mill Road, The Square, and in Cambridge Close.
We look forward to working together with SEPP and stakeholders to find a suitable solution to the ongoing and unresolved issue of obstructive, illegal and dangerous parking in Stock village.
