A local authority has hit back on claims parking problems outside a school in Ilkeston have been caused by houses being built on land that was used as a car park.
Parents agree there are parking problems outside Cotmanhay Junior School on Beauvale Drive in Ilkeston, and have blasted the issues as 'ridiculous'.
When Nottinghamshire Live visited the school gates during drop-off time, cars could be seen to line Beauvale Drive with some cars parking on grass verges and zig-zags.
And headteacher of the Junior School, Simon Robinson, believes it's been caused by houses being built on land opposite the school.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, he said: "That land was used by staff and stakeholders to park, and by users of the nearby Children's Centre.
"Both headteachers here objected to the building of houses on that site, saying it would cause traffic congestion in the area, but it does not feel as though we have been listened to.
"We do need facilities and new housing, and we are pleased to have local residents local to the school, but its building has caused parking problems, and we're looking to try and improve the situation."
Despite being the local authority for housing, Erewash Borough Council said Derbyshire County Council is responsible for parking enforcement, and that the approved planning application does not change that responsibility, and did not wish to comment further.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: "Road safety is a top priority for the county council and we take concerns about parking seriously.
"Parking restrictions are in place on Granby Road and Charlotte Street and there’s a zebra crossing with zig-zag markings in place on Beauvale Drive to provide a safe crossing point and restrict parking.
"We would urge motorists to avoid parking in restricted areas, and where parking is allowed they are reminded to park sensibly and without causing an obstruction.
"We work with many schools across the county as part of our Travel Smart scheme to encourage pupils to make more active and environmentally-friendly journeys to and from school as an alternative to travelling by car.
"Cotmanhay schools took part in our most recent Travel Smart week held in October last year and we would be happy to do further work in these schools to help encourage better travel habits.
"We’ll continue to work alongside the local police who are responsible for dealing with issues of dangerous parking outside of the parking restrictions which we can enforce."
It comes after the school was namechecked in a post on the Ilkeston Police SNT Facebook page as an example of where there have been problems with parking outside of schools, as officers said there was an issue with parking on a pavement area outside flats opposite the school.
And parents agree there are problems.
Corrine Kirk, 23, whose son attends the school, said: "It's terrible, it's ridiculous - you get cars on each side of the road and police do tell them to move.
"My son has gone here for nearly five years and it's never changed, but something needs to be done, I'm worried about the kids."
Ashley Hudson, 29, a stay-at-home mum who lives locally, said parking in the area was 'crazy'.
"It's mental - there was a car park where new houses were built before, and since that's been taken out, it's been crazy," she said.
"I think a car park would make things safer, but I wouldn't know where it could go."
Mum Sian Walker, 24, who lives further up Cotmanhay Road, said: "It's ridiculous, normally there's a police officer that comes around, but people park anywhere.
"It goes as far up Beauvale Drive as you can see."
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