Football fans need 'lessons in parking’ - council

West Ham and Arsenal fans have come under fire for parking in Shenfield for home ties

West Ham and Arsenal fans have been told they need "lessons in parking considerately" by a local council.

Residents in Shenfield, Essex, have complained that they can’t access their own homes on match days.

Trains from Shenfield station run directly to London Stratford, near West Ham’s London Stadium.

Brentwood councillor David Worsfold said: “On really busy match days they are parking all the way down Oliver Road right up to Shenfield School.

“There is a massive problem, particularly when West Ham are playing at home and to a certain extent when Arsenal are at home.”

Football fans are parking all the way down Oliver Road on matchdays, says Brentwood Council

Brentwood Borough Council has limited free Sunday parking in Shenfield car parks to three-hour time limits.

The restriction was meant to deter football fans from filling up car parks around the station that otherwise were needed by locals.

But the authority heard that very few fans were prepared to pay to park as they head into the capital for home ties.

“West Ham fans could do with getting a few lessons in parking considerately,” said Liberal Democrat Mr Worsfold.

“They arrive late, plonk their cars anywhere. They don’t take any notice of people’s driveways.

"The council car parks do not fill up. People do not want to pay anything. They can park on the streets for free and that is what they will do,” he added.

Many football fans heading to watch London matches park close to Shenfield train station

Conservative councillor Keith Barber added: “Lots of residents of Alexander Lane will tell you every time there is a match on a Sunday they get an awful lot of parking outside their home and some can’t even access their properties.”

Councillor Worsfold said that residents had resisted proposals for restricting parking with double yellow lines because of concerns their own visitors would struggle to park.

“We have a problem and we need to find a way to address it,” he said.