PARENTS who clog the roads around a Westcliff school have been warned they could cause an accident.

The streets near Crowstone Preparatory School have become so congested at drop-off times, children cannot see to cross safely.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the Chalkwell Neighbourhood Action panel.

Rosaline Walker, of the Chalkwell Residents’ Associat- ion said the problem was gradually getting worse.

She said: “When parents drop off their children at school they try to get as near as possible to the school gates.

“It’s almost as if they haven’t got any legs to walk.”

Police have been patrolling the area at peak times to move cars on, when they are causing an obstruction.

However, PC Chris Abbott, neighbourhood specialist officer for Chalkwell Marine, said the problem returns as soon as officers leave.

He said: “The problem is there’s no parking restrictions. It’s only if someone’s causing an obstruction on the bend we can move them on.”

However, PC Abbott said he knew of no serious incidents outside the school in the past 11 years.

Headteacher at the school, John Thayer, said the school had been tackling the problem for more than 30 years and regularly sent letters to parents.

He said: “We send out reminders to parents not to park right on the corner and not to park across drives.

“We suggested to highways some years ago it might consider making Crosby Road one way because cars are parked either side.

“When this happens, even when we are closed in the holidays, it’s very difficult for traffic to get through.”

Ian Robertson, Southend councillor responsible for public protection and waste, said: “The only thing with putting yellow lines down is you’ve got to enforce them. If you don’t enforce them it becomes a joke.”