Parking dispute at St Anne Line Catholic Junior School

Leadership at St Anne Line Catholic Junior School in Wickhay, Basildon, insists it is doing its best to try and address parking problems near the school.

But Wickhay resident Jeff Peak, who has lived in the area for 30 years, claims the school has failed to properly control parents.

Parents parked blocking residential garages in Wickhay (Image: Jeff Peak)

“We are experiencing inconsiderate and at times downright dangerous driving and parking within the area by parents,” he said.

“This problem really needs addressing before somebody is injured or worse or property is damaged.”

He added: "Sadly it also appears that St Anne Line only really seems to be concerned about the parking issue when it affects the area immediately around the school. 

"Every school day, every one of our garages are parked in front of preventing access, yellow lines are often ignored, driveways obstructed, or even parked on in some cases and when we politely request to parents to park elsewhere we often get abuse in return," he claimed.

Nathalie Watson, head teacher at the junior school, insists they have “tirelessly” tried to address the parking problems.

The school has purchased and put up “no parking signs”, sent letters to residents, and tasked staff to patrol the area at dop-off and pick-up times.

At least twice in the last four months the school has urged parents to take better care by highlighting “inconsiderate parking” in its newsletters.

“Unfortunately, in the last few weeks the junior school has received threats from residents, who have also indicated that we have just ignored the problem - this is far from the truth,” Ms Watson said.

The school later elaborated residents had threatened to call the police.

“The Junior School believes that the residents and school must work together, rather than against each other," Ms Watson added.

“It is important to note that many local residents support and do recognise the hard work and strategies the junior school has put in place to try and address the parking problem.

There are two separate schools with different leadership teams in Wickhay; St Anne Line Catholic Infant School and St Anne Line Catholic Junior School.

Ms Watson added she could not comment on the efforts being made by the infancy school to address parking issues.