PERMANENT parking restrictions plans intended to improve children’s safety on their way to school could cause problems elsewhere, claim nearby residents.

Eight on-street parking spaces on St Philip’s Road, Stratton would be taken away under the proposal, which came about after the lollipop lady at Beechcroft Infants School complained about parked cars around her crossing spot.

But owner of Auto Engine Tune Lorraine Wadley, 55 said the problem would simply be moved to other stretches of the road.

“And at night-time, when people are coming from work, they have trouble parking now, so it’s going to be hundred time worse if they put these lines in.”

Lorraine and other residents are asking for temporary restrictions to be set up only during school times due to the amount of traffic.

“It can be a busy road, because at three o’clock it’s an absolute nightmare,” she said.

“We want to put it in at restricted times. Obviously we are aware of the school and children’s safety, but I’ve been in there 14 years and there’s never been a problem.

“Safety for the children is always first but it’s important to put the residents first as well.”

Some have said they haven’t been informed about the proposals for the restrictions despite being directly affected.

Lorraine said: “I personally rent the Legion car park to help out with my customers, but sometimes I can’t even get my car in there, so if they put these restrictions, where do we go? This will certainly affect my business.”

She added: “We had two people moving up here, they’ve gone into these houses thinking it won’t be a problem to get a parking space, but with these extra restrictions it is a bit unfair for people who just moved in. And again, you always choose somewhere suitable for your lifestyle.”

Susan Newell, 65, lives in the street. She said: “They didn’t consider anybody. They came here but not enough to assess the situation. It’s just not acceptable for everybody to be penalised.”

Oladapo Ibitoye, who represents the Penhill and Upper Stratton area on the borough council, said: “At this stage these plans are for the safety of the area.

“I talked to some residents who want temporary restrictions, so I informed the officer in charge.

“There could be a balance, but overall safety is paramount.

He added: “What they should have done is to inform every people including those who are not directly involved. But it’s for a good cause.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “The proposal to install yellow lines in this street is part of a scheme to improve a school crossing point to make it safer for children and their parents to walk to and from the local primary school.

“Letters were delivered to all the homes affected by these proposals and we also contacted ward and parish councillors for their views.

“We are mindful that introducing parking restrictions will have an impact on some local residents which is why we want to gather their views before we proceed to the statutory consultation stage.

“It is important residents have their say and the scheme has already been amended following feedback we have received.”