PARENTS are putting lives at risk by parking illegally while on the school run, it has been claimed.

Each weekday between 2.40pm and 3.15pm cars are parked on double yellow lines in Sudeley Way, Grange Park, as parents wait to pick up their children finishing for the day at Lydiard Park Academy.

Angry residents say this has been a problem for several years and believe it is a major safety issue.

Carol Hardiman, whose daughter goes to Lydiard Park, said: “It angers me and many other parents and residents that the culprits feel they can do what they like and get away with it without any thought for everybody else.

“If the emergency services had to use this route for an emergency it could result in a life-threatening situation because they wouldn’t be able to get through.”

Mrs Hardiman has reported the issue to Swindon council several times but says nothing has been done.

A resident who lives in Sudeley Way, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s outrageous that this is still going on and that we have to suffer the consequences of it every day.”

Lydiard Park Academy headteacher Gary Pearson said: “This has been going on for the last four years but has got even worse in the past year.

“It can be very dangerous, especially due to blind spots. We have asked parents not to park in this area. We have suggested they park further away to pick their children up.”

The council recognises there is a problem and has started to send enforcement officers to the area.

A spokesman said: “Unfortunately, inconsiderate parking is a problem outside most schools during the school run. We work closely with schools on this issue and often send our enforcement officers out to known hotspots where people are parking illegally.

“Lydiard Park Academy is one school where we know there are problems with people parking on double yellow lines and we have sent officers out to deal with this issue.

“Ultimately this is about changing people’s behaviours and we will continue to carry out patrols in Grange Park to reinforce the message that parking in this manner is unacceptable.”

During the summer ambulance crews struggled to reach patients on a number of occasions due to vehicles being parked inappropriately.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “In an emergency, every second counts.

“Traffic congestion and inconsiderate parking do present significant challenges to our crews, especially in tourist resorts and areas where the roads are more limited.

“We urge people to park sensibly and to show consideration for emergency vehicle access.

“Nobody would want an ambulance to be delayed by other vehicles when they or their loved ones are most in need of emergency help.

“When parking, please allow at least 10 feet for emergency services vehicles to pass by safely. If there’s not enough space, don’t park there.”

Public transport has also been affected in the area.

Alex Chutter, Swindon’s Bus Company general manager, said: “We routinely have issues with inconsiderate parking along this particular road, which does present a challenge to our drivers.

“It’s worth noting that, if our buses can’t get through, neither can a fire engine. We politely ask those living and working across our routes to think carefully about access when deciding where to park their cars.”

PARENTS on the school run to pick their child up have been parking illegally in a residential street causing chaos for vehicles trying to get through.

and she claims that the situation has only got worse and that Swindon Borough Council are doing nothing to help – the mum says she has reported the issue to the council numerous of times.

She

He says if they park further down the road it will feed into a roundabout making it a lot better.