A group of neighbours living in a street which was blocked by a van for four days say it is “ridiculous” it took authorities four days to remove it.

Waltham Forest Council only removed the white Peugoet van when the Waltham Forest Guardian got in touch with residents' complaints. 

The van, which was covered with dust and had broken lights, was parked on double yellow lines in Boston Road on Saturday.

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This morning a traffic warden issued the van with a parking ticket – something passersby branded ‘a joke’.

Frustrated residents took to social media to voice their concerns about the abandoned van, which had a duvet and plastic bags stuffed inside its windows.

Areeb Minai, whose driveway was blocked by the van said: “The police were called, they came 24 hours later and did nothing.

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“It’s been reported numerous times but the council have not done anything about it.

“It is blocking the road, private drives and even access to a primary school.

“I’m sure a ticket inspector has seen it this morning - they’re quick to remove vehicles with no tax or insurance or parked on double yellow lines but nobody wants to do anything about this.

“It’s clearly an obstruction, a hazard to the school kids and I don’t even know what it has inside - it’s no one’s concern. What more will it take for someone to take action?”

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He added: “Four days later the van gets a parking ticket.

“What’s next - a clamp? Bloody joke.”

The street is used by parents dropping off and picking their children up from nearby Thomas Gamuel Primary School in Colchester Road.

A spokesman for Waltham Forest Council said: "Waltham Forest Council officers have been to Boundary Road to begin emptying the van.

"Once emptied we can then remove the vehicle from the road.

"We will be working to try and identify the owner of the offending vehicle."

It later said in a statement: "We have removed the van from the road. We will now be trying to identify the owner of the vehicle."

The council said it was made aware of the van this morning (Tuesday) and its contractors were unable to lift it immediately without heavy equipment.

A request was made for the required equipment and the vehicle was lifted and impounded at around 2.30pm.

A spokesman said before they are able to remove a vehicle a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) has to be generated in order for the authority to be compliant with legislation.