A homeowner has spoken out about the abuse she has received from parents who block her driveway while dropping off and picking up kids at school. Laura Ali, 31, said she's been told to 'shut up you slag' and 'f*** off' in the past when she's approached school run drivers asking them to move their cars from outside her home.
Mrs Ali who lives nearby two schools in Ardwick said one angry driver threatened to smash her windows in after they stopped her from being able to take her own kids to school, the Manchester Evening News reports. Homeowners on Langport Avenue have been dealing with the problem for years as motorists park on pavements, junctions and even leave their cars in the middle of the road.
In 2019, disgruntled locals protested outside Dean Trust Ardwick secondary school and St Luke's CE primary school over the 'ridiculous' parking situation as parents doing the school runs blocked them in their houses. However, neighbours confirmed the situation is still very much a problem.
Ms Ali 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." She also revealed a child was run down last month near the school as she said 'how many incidents need to happen before they resolve this issue we've pleaded about for years?'
Police have responded by promoting road safety in the street and supporting residents while Manchester City Council announced they would be trialling 'School Street's which will introduce pedestrianised zones.
Sirous Fallahi, 32, who also lives on Langport Avenue, has put out cones along the street to try and prevent drivers from 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.
"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 spokesman for the secondary school said: "All Dean Trust schools always aim to work alongside it’s 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 said: “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.
St Luke's CE Primary School has been contacted for comment.
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