A frustrated homeowner has spoken out about the abuse she has experienced from parents who blocked her driveway on the school run, and refused to move. Laura Ali, 31, has been sworn at on multiple occasions when she has asked drivers to move their vehicles from outside her home in Ardwick, Manchester.
The fed-up mum said she's been told to 'f*** off' and 'shut up you slag', and one angry motorist has even threatened to smash her windows. Laura is one of many residents on her street who have been tormented for years by drivers parking on pavements, junctions and even in the middle of the road before and after school, Manchester Evening News reports.
Laura said: "Why is the council not being proactive? I've approached parents that blocked me from taking my children to school, and been responded with 'f*** off' or 'shut up you slag', 'we'll smash your car window' too many times in front of the school over the years.
"I've seen parents get into physical fights with each other on the street, shouting abusive language in front of the primary and secondary school kids."
In 2019, locals took their frustrations to Dean Trust Ardwick secondary and St Luke's CE Primary School to protest over the "ridiculous" parking by parents.
Though the situation has not been resolved and neighbours continue to express their concerns as they share pictures of households being blockaded in.
Laura, who recalled an incident last month where a child was hit by a car, added: "We were glad to hear they weren't seriously harmed but how many incidents need to happen before they resolve this issue we've pleaded about for years?"
To settle the ongoing debate, police have been called to the street to promote road safety and support local residents, while Manchester City Council said they will be trialling 'School Streets' which create pedestrianised zones.
"I'm a vigilant driver and aware teenagers step out in front of cars but it's not so much the kids that are a concern, it's the parents shoving their prams in the road causing us to emergency stop and 'effing' off when they park in roads," Laura explained.
"It's awful and we're all tired of dealing with the awful behaviour the schools parents inflict on the local residents. We just want to feel safe on our doorstep."
Another resident, Sirous Fallahi, has put cones along the street to try and stop parents parking on double yellow lines.
The 32-year-old security worker said: "A few years ago we protested over the parking by parents but nothing has changed and it's getting seriously out of hand.
"What's more concerning is the amount of times residents have addressed this issue to the school and they have deflected our concerns.
"The police show up and the atmosphere changes but when they leave the chaos resumes. It's difficult for them to see how bad the issue is.
"We have made many suggestions with more signs, a crossing, cones out, and speed bumps for more safety measures.
"I've contacted the council and the school multiple times and said 'they will investigate the issue'. It has continued for years and we're all frustrated.
"It's not fair on any of the residents and more importantly children are being put at risk by their parents."
A spokesperson for Dean Trust Ardwick said: "All Dean Trust schools always aim to work alongside its local communities to minimise the impact of these issues at school drop off/pick up times by asking and regularly reminding parents and carers to park respectfully observing highway rules and regulations.
"However, this can sometimes be beyond our control as we do not have any jurisdiction over public highways. We will continue to work with our Dean Trust Ardwick community to improve this situation."
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council commented: "The issue of on-street parking around schools is an issue the Council takes seriously and, in the past, has encouraged schools to put in place schemes which encourage walking and cycling to school.
"The Council will soon be trialling 'School Streets' which create a pedestrianised zone around schools as well as working with Greater Manchester Police to promote road safety around this school in particular.
"In roads where there are no parking restrictions the Council is limited in the action which can be taken.
"However, the Council will continue to work with our partners to prosecute drivers who park illegally and would encourage residents to contact us when they observe illegal parking."
Luke's CE Primary School has been contacted for comment.
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