FRUSTRATED residents have claimed they believe their council parking permits are being used fraudulently.

A permit scheme came into operation in six streets around Southend's town centre, including Heygate Avenue, but residents are still finding themselves unable to park in their street.

David Charambas, one of the residents affected, said: "We have suffered years of parking issues as people use it for commute and shopping.

"We were delighted when the scheme came in expecting to finally be able to park in our street but it has been a total nightmare with tensions rising and much agitation occurring.

"People are buying the daily visiting permits by the book load and using them to park for work and shopping. It is nearly impossible to park down our own streets as usually 25 per cent are visitors on daily basis."

David claims two people in particular are seen parking on Heygate Avenue every day at the same time and leaving at the same time.

After confronting these parties, he has been ignored.

He added: "One of them told me their nephew lives here so therefore she is allowed to park there, which is ridiculous.

"If we all gave our extended families parking permits then it just wouldn't work.

"The other day just has a brazen attitude - I have followed him to his work place so I know he is not a resident here.

"We are just being ignored while they carry on enjoying free parking at the expense of the local residents.

"Daily chats go on between us and we are past the point of frustrated. We have contacted the council many times and want some justice.

"There are many elderly people and people with children who cannot park near their homes even though they paid for permits.

"I look after an elderly disabled man and am unable to get close with shopping.

"Some people are too scared to say anything."

Kelly Beecham, 39, said: "The tensions are rising daily here, it's getting out of hand.

"I am having arguments with people constantly about this parking issue.

"I know for a fact the people using up the spaces do not live on this street - I have lived her for over 11 years and I know most people on the street.

"It's a joke, there is a real issue with parking in Southend in general but what is the point in us paying for permits that are next to useless to us.

"I have put it more than one complaint in to the council but they don't seem to care."

A spokesperson for Southend Council said: “We can confirm that we have received a complaint about permits being fraudulently used by some vehicles parking on Heygate Avenue.

“We take such reports very seriously and our fraud team is now investigating. Should this investigation confirm instances of parking fraud, we will take appropriate enforcement action.”