RESIDENTS who have had to endure months of parking problems outside their homes because of school traffic have raised concerns ahead of the new term.

Householders living near Whitehouse School, in Stockton, have complained about parents parking cars outside their homes, as well as the surrounding streets during school time and they are asking for the problem to be resolved.

One resident said: "If you ask drivers to move their vehicles, your request is met with foul and abusive language and threats.

"I realise children have to go to school, but surely they can walk some distance.

"I also realise the danger of all the congestion in the streets around the school. I appreciate special needs children require buses and taxis. However, there are many times these cannot get through for the parents' cars.

"If there was some sort of emergency in the school, could an ambulance or fire engine get through? I think not.

"The problem has been ongoing for 26 years and is, in my opinion, getting worse.

"One option I have heard proposed is the extending of the yellow lines painted outside the school entrance. I would support this."

In an effort to help combat the problem, residents are urging parents to use the car park at nearby Elmtree shops and walk a short distance to the school in an attempt to free up nearby roads.

A spokesman for Stockton Borough Council said: "There is no proposal for double yellow lines in Dunelm Road.

"A scheme is being progressed for restrictions at school start and finish times.

"These restrictions will prevent the residential area around Whitehouse School, and access to the school itself, from being obstructed by the cars of parents ferrying their children to school.

"The restrictions have the strong support of the police because of the obstructive parking that is taking place and problems for emergency vehicles."

The spokesman said: "The use of a car park two minutes' walk away from the school is available for parents who must drive their children to school."