Parking is getting “worse and worse on a daily basis” due to inflexible traffic control measures, a borough councillor claims.

Drivers avoiding restricting parking measures across Epsom and Ewell have created an “inconvenient” situation for frustrated residents in Stamford Green ward, where roads are crowded with parked cars.

Councillor Martin Olney fears the congestion in his ward may prevent police cars, ambulances and fire engines from getting down roads.

Surrey County Council created controlled parking zones (CPZs) – areas in which parking is only allowed on certain parts of the road for a limited time unless you have a permit – in the borough throughout 2016.

The CPZs were introduced following a borough-wide parking review in 2015/16 by Surrey County Council.

But an unforeseen result of the CPZs is that drivers keen to avoid the areas – which are designed to reduce congestion – and paid-for car parks, have moved to Stamford Green ward in the east of the borough, according to Cllr Olney.

Your Local Guardian:

Cllr Olney (pictured above), a Wheelers Lane resident and borough councillor for Stamford Green ward, said: “It’s getting worse and worse on a daily basis.

“I left my space at 7.30am today, and (speaking at about 2pm) now I’m having to park about half a mile away.

“Some time ago I saw a deliveryman back down Wheelers Lane, but he couldn’t get through because of the cars. This suggests emergency vehicles couldn’t have got through there either.

“It does cause inconvenience.”

An annual parking permit for such an area costs £50 with additional costs for visitor permits. To create a CPZ, 70 per cent of residents in the affected area need to approve it.

Cllr Olney added: “My cynical mind says that Surrey County Council want 70 per cent of residents to say they get a CPZ, for which residents pay £50 each.

“But most people don’t wish to do that as it often doesn’t affect them. They use their cars to commute to work or use the train; they bus off early and when they get back all the commuters have gone.

“But those who work at home, people with young kids, shift workers and the elderly, for example, would all benefit from a CPZ.

“There doesn’t appear to be a mechanism for providing about ten parking spaces, for example.

“There’s no solution really.”

A county council spokesman said: “We recently introduced a number of residents parking schemes around Epsom following an extensive consultation process and these were agreed by the local committee after they were petitioned to improve parking for residents in the town.

"We consistently monitor any new parking controls like these as part of our on-going parking review and are happy to look at any concerns raised.”

Got a story? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk