The narrow Essex street where angry motorists get caught up in ‘Mexican standoffs’

A narrow road in Essex which has frequently seen angry motorists caught up in ‘Mexican standoffs’ is set to be made one-way following a petition. Richmond Avenue in Shoebury has almost no room for motorists to pass each other, with many having to resort to zig zag lines outside of Richmond Primary School to navigate their way through.

A petition was launched to make the street one way was handed over by council leader Tony Cox and is likely to be approved at next week’s cabinet committee meeting.

Mr Cox, who is also Conservative councillor for West Shoebury Ward, said: “There are cars parked on both sides and it’s a two-way street and it causes problems because you can also have cars coming up from Waterloo Road, coming in both directions and you’ve got St Andrew’s Road as well that cuts off. My daughter doesn’t go to that school any more but when I used to do the school run, regularly it would end up in full-blown rows and fights.

“It would be absolute carnage. It would just get jammed and no one could move. It’s a very narrow road. I handed the petition in and there was an online petition as well so overall there was about 100 signatories. It had the full support of the school as well.”

Mr Cox added: “It will help because the only place you pass was on the zig zags by the school. I repeatedly seen people abandoned their cars after there was a Mexican standoff and then take their children into school. It will allow for an easier flow and make safer as well.”

References

1. ^{^} Essex council have made nearly £800,000 from Hylands Park parking charges in two years (www.essexlive.news)
2. ^{^} Met Office issues snow and ice warning for parts of Essex (www.essexlive.news)