ANGRY residents on a borough street that becomes a traffic carnage zone twice a day say enough is enough and they are calling for determined action improve the parking habits of parents or Thurrock Council to take enforcement action rather than offer platitudes.

The problems arise on a Monday to Friday daily basis outside St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary on Ward Avenue in Grays.

The area has been problematic for several years but now, with staggered drop off times, the problems are exacerbated and residents are finding it can take as long as 20 minutes to get from one end of the road to the other and sometimes it is impossible to get in and out of their own homes.

They say Thurrock Council traffic officers have been seen outside the school, which is also marshalled by staff including the acting headteacher, but they do not take action by issuing tickets and so are perceived as no threat to bad parkers who choose to carry on regardless.

One resident summed up the concerns of local people, telling Thurrock Nub News: "I know a lot of schools in Thurrock have a problem with parking during school time but St Thomas's in Grays is on a another level.

"Ward Ave and Woodward Close are completely gridlocked at school times, with drivers parking in and over residents' drives daily, verbally abusing householders when they ask drivers to move or they don't bother moving at all.

"The road is gridlocked and you get drivers attempting three point turns making things worse.

"We have approached the school but they say it's not their problem if parents don't read the newsletters about being considerate to residents and parking slightly further away to walk to school.

"As an adult I don't feel safe crossing the road and sometime very soon some child will be seriously injured by a car.

"When my child was at St Thomas's she narrowly missed being knocked over three times by car drivers attempting a three point turn mounting the pavement (bear in mind there is a grass verge before the pavement) and literally just missing her.

"I have witnessed many other near misses and that is just me witnessing the events so it makes you wonder how many more are taking place."

Ward councillor Cathy Kent concurs there is a problem and told Nub News: "I have raised the congestion and parking problems endured by residents of Ward Avenue many times over the years, both with the council and directly with St Thomas's School.

"I have been back on to the council following even more severe issues when the school fully reopened recently.

"Thurrock Council and the school really need to get together to find a way of resolving this once and for all, I am seriously worried that a child will be hurt and residents of Ward Avenue shouldn't have to put up with the absolute chaos they suffer on a daily basis - the school reinstating the pick up and drop off zone within the school would be a start."

Cllr Kent told us there is a planning permission condition that was implemented when an extension was built at the school, that dictates the approach road to the school should be used as drop off and pick up point, not Ward Avenue, but she says she does not know why this is not being used.

The school declined to comment directly, but acting head teacher Mrs Mary Ward recently wrote to parents and acknowledged the problem.

While clearly indicating responsibility for finding a solution lies with Thurrock Council and the police, she also showed a somewhat brusque attitude to local residents, saying: "There are, as I am sure you realise, two sides to every story.

"Although we and you are delighted that schools are open for all pupils having been closed since December 16, our reopening and that of three other schools in the area has not been met with enthusiasm by our neighbours.

"The school on its present site opened in 1965 and pre-dates many of the residents and I am almost certain that if there wasn't a school here there would be a housing estate which would cause congestion at all times of the day.

"The presence of a school certainly adds to the traffic and congestion, but only at the beginning and end of the school day.

"Now that we have to stagger our arrival and departure times, as advised by the government, this causes some cars to be parked for a longer period.

"In all the correspondence I have sent to parents and carers, I have requested that if you have to travel by car to o ensure that you park courteously without obstructing the driveways of the residents in the surrounding area.

"Residents and some parents have suggested that I should direct traffic, as cars to move and generally do more than stand on the gate.

"A few years ago I contacted the police to seek their advice and it was very clear, I have no jurisdiction over a public highway and should not put myself at risk by taking any action as parking is totally under the remit of parking enforcement officers and the police.

"Rest assured when advice is being provided by the police, I take it.

"Over the years senior leaders and governors have written to the council to offer suggestions including cameras outside the school (as the council in Havering has fitted). a more regular presence of traffic enforcement officers outside schools, better signage and the removal of bollards/stones on the grass verges.

"However, apart from a 'rare' visit by the enforcement team, our suggestions have not been acted upon."

The school declined to respond formally to Thurrock Nub News, saying: "The school suggests you get in touch with Neil Wakeling from the Transport Development Department who the acting head has been in touch with previously regarding the parking issues."

Thurrock Council have today (Thursday, 25 March) released the following statement: "A planning enforcement officer investigated the site at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School on Ward Avenue in November 2020.

"The school advised that in order to comply with Covid-19 requirements, including social distancing government guidelines, alternative access arrangements were being used for pupils. This approach was confirmed as appropriate in light of Covid-19 restrictions.

"Since November, the council has continued to monitor this site and attend schools within the borough as part of daily routine patrols, but parking enforcement is only possible where parking restrictions apply.

"Ward Avenue itself is largely unrestricted. The location continues to be on the parking officers' routine patrol schedule and enforcement will be taken when vehicles are parked in contravention of the existing restrictions."