Residents have started a petition saying cars parked outside their gated homes are safety hazards.

Albany Park Road and Lower Ham Road are close to Kingston station and the town centre.

A consultation document asking residents whether they want a controlled parking zone has been given out by Kingston Council.

Lower Ham Road resident Sarah Everard said: “There is a very real safety concern.

"Large vans regularly park opposite the Mile Tree, making it nigh on impossible for ambulances or fire engines to negotiate the space should the need ever arise."

But teacher Grant Shalks from Sutton, said he had to park in Albany Park Road due to expensive parking elsewhere, unreliable public transport and no car parking space at work.

He said: “It is a 'give-and-take' that most people engage in daily.”

Marilyn Mason, of Lower Ham Road, said: “In all the time we have lived here no one has ever parked across our driveway, so I don't think we need a yellow line.”

But Albany Park Road resident Penny Stott said: “While not wanting to prevent people enjoying the riverside facilities, the majority of residents feel some sort of controlled parking would stop this beautiful road, incidentally a conservation area, from being used as a free car park."

Parking restrictions were previously considered in the area in 2007 but no action was taken as some residents argued it would make the road look ugly and lead to people driving faster.

Residents have until December 13 to let the council know their thoughts.