ANGRY residents fed up with parents parking down their road during the school run have started a petition.

During the school run, parents cram into Manchester Drive, in Leigh, as they pick up and drop off their children.

Cars have been seen blocking driveways, parked on driveways and obstructing an ambulance.

Residents have started a petition calling for a ban on the inconsiderate drivers.

Peter Lynham, 55, of Manchester Drive, said: “It’s getting so ridiculous during the school run.

“We’ve had people parking on the driveways and when one of my neighbours had a heart attack, the ambulance struggled to park.

“His daughter asked one car driver to park down the road and was sworn at.

“It’s definitely got worse. So far we have collected nearly 50 signatures.

“There is a gap of about 150ft with no lines and people just park there. We need the yellow lines joined up.

“Some of the parents will block a driveway and then just say I’m only picking my child up. But that is still trespassing.”

The headteacher of nearby primary school Darlinghurst, off Pavilion Drive, Leigh says he is aware of the problem.

Richard Spence, interim principal of Darlinghurst School, said: “Darlinghurst School is fully aware of the issues and concerns around the dropping off and collection of pupils that is so common to many of the school around the borough.

The density of schools in this area, with Our lady of Lourdes. Westcliff High School for Boys, Westcliff High School for Girls, St Thomas Moore and Chalkwell Schools all being so close, only increases the problem in this area.

“Like all school we constantly remind and encourage our parents to walk to school and if dropping or collecting by car, to consider carefully where they are parking and to be considerate our immediate neighbours.”

Residents say they are concerned the problem will only worsen as the school is set to double in size from 400 pupils to 814 students in the coming years.

James Courtenay, ward councillor for Blenheim, has asked for tougher action over inconsiderate parking.

He said: “Parents are also concerned about the inconsiderate parking and I’ve spoken to residents in and around the area.

“I’ve asked for a CCTV vehicle and parking vehicle to attend.

“They did a blitz one week in January and seven tickets were issued.

“The council needs to continue to patrol and ensure people are parking in a respectable manner.

“Parking is being tackled and I will ask it continues to be tackled using the CCTV vehicle.

“In the longer term, something needs to be done and that includes a much wider review about all schools and travel plans.”

Green light for crossing patrol

DARLINGHURST Primary has been given the green light for a new crossing patrol, a decision which could encourage more parents to walk their children to school and ease congestion.

The school is set to double in size from 400 pupils to 814 students in the coming years and Southend Council has agreed to install the lollipop patrol outside the school, which will cost between £5,000 and £6,000.

James Courtenay, ward councillor for Blenheim, says the patrol could encourage more parents to walk their children to school. He said:

“The petition the parents presented included a request for a CCTV car and civil enforcement officers to pay more attention to the area.

“It might make parking easier and I think a lollipop person is a good idea.

“Parents are concerned about children crossing the road, but if there is someone there to get them across more people should be able to walk to school.”

The school continues to work with the local authority to make the area safe.

Richard Spence said: “We have had several discussions with the Highways Agency and worked with our local councillor Mr Courtenay recently and this has led to us securing a school crossing point in Pavilion Drive.

“The school is indeed expanding and we will continue to work alongside our local community, parents, local council representatives and Highways department to find ways to try and improve the congestion in the area at peak times in order that all our children and our immediate neighbours have a safe environment.”