FOUR "perilous" parking places created next to a blind bend have been labelled an accident waiting to happen.
The on-street bays were marked out in Tree Tops, Brentwood, by contractors working on behalf of Essex County Council.
Yet residents say the spaces have forced motorists to go on to the wrong side of the road around a blind bend to pass them.
Brian Davis, 71, of Tree Tops, said: "We have resorted to beeping our horns before we go round to prevent an accident, which must be annoying to the people who live on that corner.
"It is an accident waiting to happen – I just can't believe they thought it was a good idea.
"They probably didn't even think.
"I have tried everything to get it (the council) to move them.
"I have been on to my councillors, who say it isn't their responsibility.
"Apparently, it is run by a parking partnership, which is particularly hard to get any response from."
The retired civil engineer continued: "The Highway Code clearly states that you should not go on to the other side of the road unless you can see it is clear.
"These parking spaces make it impossible to see – you just guess and risk it.
"It seems to be a case that nothing is being done until an accident does actually happen.
"The council has done nothing, the councillors are doing nothing – I am the end of my tether and it has gone on for too long.
"You just have to wonder what was going through the head of the people that put them there.
"Of all the places to put in parking, this had to be the worst.
"I think they are saying they will now move one of the parking places to the entrance of the road, which will just cause even more problems.
"If two cars coming through that road had a head-on collision, it could be potentially deadly.
"Never mind if someone stepped out from between the cars or tried to cross.
"This problem needs to be highlighted."
On-street parking in Brentwood is the responsibility of the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP), run by Chelmsford City Council.
As a result, a spokeswoman for Brentwood Borough Council said it was unable to comment.
Lib Dem borough councillor James Sapwell, whom Mr Davis has approached about the issue, said: "I have spoken to an Essex County Council Highways officer, who has admitted that changes could be made.
"However,it is yet to make these changes and it has become a case where everyone can see what is wrong, but the council is not doing anything about it.
"It should get its act together and get started on the work."
A spokesman for SEPP said: "The bays in this road precede the formation of the South Essex Parking Partnership.
"This road has been assessed by Essex County Council for health and safety, and discussed with the lead officer and member for Brentwood Council with the SEPP technicians.
"This cul-de-sac does not have any police-reported accidents recorded, and is not considered to be dangerous.
"The existing parking restrictions are not under consideration for revision."
Essex County Council declined to comment.
