‘School run parents brand me a sl*g’ when I tell them not to block my drive’

2022-12-13

A woman has described the vile verbal abuse she's been receiving from parents on the school run who have been blocking her driveway.

Laura Ali, who lives near two schools in Ardwick, Manchester, said that parents parking illegally in front of her house have shouted 'f*** off' or 'shut up you slag' at her when asked to move their cars.

The 31-year-old said that parents parking in the neighbourhood during pick-up and drop-off times have been causing chaos by parking on double yellow lines and blockading local families in their homes.

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Ms Ali said the abuse local residents are facing has gotten so out of hand that she's even had motorists threatening to smash her windows and has seen other parents getting into physical fights while using foul language in front of young children.

In 2019 residents attempted to get authorities to intervene by protesting outside Dean Trust Ardwick secondary and St Luke's CE Primary School, the two schools in the area, but the 'ridiculous' parking problems have still persisted.

Ms Ali told the Manchester Evening News: "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."

The frustrated mother said that a child was hit by a car last month near the schools, she 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?"

But she claimed it was mostly unobservant parents causing dangerous situations.

Ms Ali said: "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.

"It's awful and we're all tired of dealing with the awful behaviour the school's parents inflict on the local residents. We just want to feel safe on our doorstep."

Sirous Fallahi, another local resident, has taken matters into his own hands by putting cones out along the street in an attempt to prevent people 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. It's difficult for them to see how bad the issue is.

He said the parking mayhem has been going on for years, adding: "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."

Dean Trust Ardwick said that the school has been reminding parents to park respectfully at drop-off and pick-up times but that they sometimes can't control the issue.

A spokesman 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."

Manchester City Council has said that they are attempting to resolve the issue and are set to trial a new 'School Streets' scheme creating pedestrianised areas around schools.

A council spokesperson 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.

“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.”

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