Wardens will be paying visits to check parked vehicles near a local school following complaints from local residents about drivers flouting parking rules, according to a ward councillor.

 

Ivan White (left), one of Bitterne Park ward’s three Conservative councillors, said some residents living near the primary school on Manor Farm Road have contacted him because they’re fed up with inconsiderate and illegal parking on nearby roads – and even pavements.

Tempers have flared at the start, and especially at the end, of school days, as parents vie for a limited number of parking spaces as near as possible to the school’s single entrance.

White said some householders had even suffered cars parked on their private driveways – and had received abuse when they tried to challenge offenders.

“They’ve been very aggressive when somebody comes out and says can you move. They’ve had all sorts of abuse,” he told bitternepark.info.

Pic: Google Maps

Cars sometimes parked on pavements, coupled with speeding, have also led to safety concerns.

But now Cllr White says wardens from Parking Services will be paying some visits to the area at key times.

“We’re responding to what residents have told us, and to improve safety particularly at pick-up and drop-off times … because the road is a major thoroughfare,” he said, although he acknowledged that similar problems are “pretty universal across the city”.

Speeding is a familiar issue on Manor Farm Road, which is one of the Bitterne Park roads where there’s been calls for a 20mph speed limit. White said councillors will back such requests where residents want them, particularly if they can be implemented as ‘blocks’.

But further consultation is likely before 20mph zones are set up.

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