FRUSTRATED residents are calling on coaches to stop parking in their road as it is noisy and damaging the pavement.

Stephen Hodge, Independent councillor for Nethermayne Ward, said a coach for visiting exchange students from France has been causing problems in The Knares, Basildon, several times a year.

He said it has damaged the pavement in the road and has called on drivers to find a more suitable coach park in future.

He told the Echo that residents have been complaining about the coaches in the road.

The Echo understands that the coaches are left in the road overnight when it brings groups of students to the area.

The pavement is also badly damaged due to the fact that the vehicles are parking on the pavements.

Mr Hodge said: “I have got nothing against the foreign exchange students but the coach is a problem.

“It happens three times a year and it is nearly always this time of year.

“They park the coach on this busy road and it damaged the footpath there.

“I reported it to Essex County Council and they just said you have to catch them doing it.

“Because it is right next to a busy block of flats, the coach is parking late at night and it’s noisy for the residents.”

The coach ferries French exchange students, who are staying with local people, to and from day trips.

Mr Hodge said he had spoken to one of the organisers about the problem but they said they were not doing anything illegal.

He said: “They said they didn’t damage the pavement but it wasn’t like that before they parked there.

“I walk my dogs along there every morning and it was fine before.

“I even put a note on the front of the coach but it did no good. I don’t know whoever organises the event this side but I am hoping it doesn’t happen again.”

A resident, who asked not to be named, confirmed that the vehicles park in the road and that there is concern from some other residents about noise when the coaches start up early in the morning.

Derrick Fellowes, Nethermayne Independents councillor for the ward said residents should have a peaceful life.

He said: “There are plenty of people commenting about this on social media.

“I am for foreign exchange students coming to our area but the coaches just sit with engines running which I believe is illegal.

“I also think there are issues with lorries such as scaffold vehicles parking in the road. I share sympathies with the residents.”