A series of new parking proposals in Saffron Walden designed to improve traffic in problem areas of the town have been put forward.

The proposed orders, from the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP), will see no waiting and no stopping restrictions introduced on parts of the town’s roads and residents have until February 19 to make objections.

The changes, which have been advertised on lamp posts in the streets concerned, will see no waiting at any time in parts of Ashdon Road, Mount Pleasant Road, Borough Lane, Thaxted Road, Peaslands Road, Bromfield Road and Winstanley Road.

Double yellow lines are proposed for parts of Thaxted, Peaslands and Winstanley Road as well as Bromfield.

No waiting restrictions from 8am to 6pm on Monday to Fridays – and in some cases Saturdays – will also be put in place along areas of Borough Lane, Ashdon Road, Peaslands Road and Mount Pleasant Road.

A length of road outside Friends’ School will have a no stopping area introduced in peak school times, from 8.15am to 9.15am and 2.45pm to 3.45pm.

NEPP, led by Colchester Council in partnership with Essex County Council for the north of the county, says it wishes to keep the roads free of parked vehicles at specific points, encourage the free flow of traffic, improve parking provision for residents and reduce the probability of crashes.

For the area on Mount Pleasant Road, outside Friends’ School, the partnership said it was seeking to “enhance the lines of sight in the street for vulnerable road users, children, pedestrians and drivers alike and to avoid danger to persons or other traffic using the road”.

Residents have already taken to social media to voice their opinions on the orders, with some feeling the new restrictions will see speeds increase on the roads.

One resident, commenting on the social media network Streetlife, said: “So where are the parents at the schools in South Road going to safely drop off their children now?

“I am very concerned at the idea of cars speeding all the way along Peaslands Road and Mount Pleasant Road as no speed restrictions or speed bumps are being suggested. These are residential streets not high speed roads through town.”

Another added: “I think that there are real concerns about the school drop- offs and collection and the possible increase in speed of traffic.”

However, others commenting on the social media network were in favour of the changes to improve traffic flow in the town.

A resident said: “The town needs a system to aid traffic flow and these restrictions may help if enforced and adhered to. I recognise problems for pick up and drop off for schools in South Road but Waitrose car park and Swan Meadow are not that far away for the healthy.”

Another added: “I hope it works as intended and is sensibly enforced. I can understand people will have some objections but hopefully on balance it will work out positive.

“Stopping parking on the road down between the High School and Audley End house made a big improvement to the flow of traffic and hopefully this will do the same.”

A spokesman for the NEPP said: “Any objections will be considered before a decision on whether to introduce the proposed restrictions or not is made. What happens depends on how many objections are received and the nature of the objections that are received. These are proposals, so no final decision on whether to implement them or not has been made.”

Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposal should send their views to TRO Comments, North Essex Parking Partnership, PO Box 5575, Colchester, CO1 9LT or by e-mail to parking@colchester.gov.uk. Residents can see documentation and maps by visiting www.parkingpartnership.org and clicking on proposals.

What do you think of the town’s new parking proposals? Send your views to editor@saffronwalden-reporter.co.uk.