RESIDENTS will be given free parking permits by the end of the year to stop commuters nabbing their spaces.

This follows a story in last week’s Gazette that told how commuters heading for Ockendon rail station were regularly parking in Rosemary Close, taking up all the residents’ spaces.

Now, Thurrock Council has acted after a number of consultations and residents in Rosemary Close, Larkspur Close, Nicholas Close and the southern side of West Road will all receive permits for up to two vehicles.

Householders have been taking to the street in hi-vis jackets in a bid to persuade the commuters to park elsewhere and their hard work has finally paid off.

Portfolio holder Councillor Angie Gaywood said: “We said we would organise the free parking permits in this financial year and we will. The issue has been that some people living a little further from the railway station weren’t keen on the plan.

“The first consultation was general, but the second, following the public meeting, was more detailed and we were able to break down which roads wanted the permits and which didn’t.

“This doesn’t mean we can’t expand the area for resident permits later if people let us know they want it, but things can’t happen at the snap of my fingers.”

The council’s two current resident parking permit areas, in Grays and Stanford-le-Hope, have been made free for the first two vehicles and the first book of visitor permits.

Similar schemes in Badgers Dene, in Grays and around Tilbury station are being discussed.