King’s School, Rochester apologises for ‘illegal and inconsiderate’ parking by parents
05:00, 21 November 2023
updated: 14:02, 21 November 2023
Parents driving children to and from a private school are again causing misery and chaos - despite moves to crack down on their “illegal and inconsiderate parking”.
Residents who live near King’s School in Rochester are fuming that people are parking on double yellow lines for up to 40 minutes, sometimes with their engines running.
The school runs are causing traffic congestion, with some vehicles blocking driveways and parking on pavements making it impossible for pedestrians to pass.
One pensioner, who has cancer, is stressed that Macmillan nurses who visit her twice a week are unable to park near her home in St Margaret’s Street.
Others have said that they have considered moving out of the area to escape the rush-hour pandemonium.
Senior staff at the school, which has entrances in King Edward Road and Lockington Grove, have recognised the problems and the area is plastered with posters urging motorists to park safely and responsibly.
Cones have been placed immediately outside the school and a member of staff has been tasked with standing at the gates to monitor the situation.
Several people living nearby say they have been threatened with insults and abuse when challenging the culprits.
Neighbourhood spokesman Lloyd Morgans said the behaviour had become totally unacceptable.
Mr Morgans, a therapist who lives in St Margaret’s Street, has written to the principal Ben Charles demanding answers.
He said: “King Edward Road now has bollards placed around the pavements to try and stop the cars from parking illegally when picking up their children
“The feedback from neighbours is this is not really working. St Margaret’s Street has no bollards and cars park illegally on double yellow lines for up to 40 minutes.
“This illegal parking then blocks the road so there are traffic jams. The cars are parked outside people’s drives and houses.
“This has to change. These parents are breaking the law and we feel King’s School needs to work with the council to change this unacceptable behaviour.”
“I work from home and I see it going on all the time.”
He added: “When I took these photos I was verbally abused by parents. I will not put up with this any longer this has to change.”
“It really is getting me down. I’m even thinking of moving.”
His neighbour Jayne Clarke, 70, who is suffering from leukaemia, said: “Sometimes I can’t walk out my door because they are parked on the pavement.
“They have no consideration for the people who live here.
“The nurses who visit me have to park right up the road. It’s just not fair.
“Whatever they are doing at the school to try and stop this, it simply isn’t working.
Annie Hebde, head of marketing and communications at King’s, said they were aware of the situation and were taking steps to sort it out.
She said: “We would like to apologise again for the inconvenience and distress caused to some residents around King's School Rochester by recent inconsiderate parking in their roads.
“We are aware of the problem and are working directly with neighbours and the local council to solve it and to find lasting solutions to maintain a harmonious and supportive relationship with our local community.
“We have taken a number of measures to reinforce the importance of responsible driving and parking practices in this area.
“In addition to the cones and posters we put on the streets, we are also putting out big banners and will continue to have a staff presence outside school at key times to ensure those illegally parked are moved on.
“We are delighted to hear from some of our neighbours that our recent initiatives have already had a significant effect and reduced inappropriate parking and are committed to ensuring that this continues.”
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