PARENTS of children at Aveley Primary School have been warned by police not to park their cars close to the school on Stifford road when they drop or collect their children.

Essex Police appear to have recognised that the school's surrounding presents a 'significant risk to members of the public'.

That is a view not shared by Thurrock Council who have told Thurrock Nub News, and complaining residents and parents, that the junction does not merit further safety action.

Thurrock's Community police team, which recently sent officers to stop concerned members of the Aveley and Kenningtons community forum mounting their own safety patrols to help parents and children, have issued a letter saying drivers need to find more 'suitable' places to stop or walk their children to school. They suggest 'quiet roads, car parks etc'.

The letter says: "Parking disputes lie with Thurrock Council, and where issues persist, causing a significant risk to members of the public, enforcement action can and will be taken.

"This is not limited to, but includes offences of wilfully obstructing the free passage along a highway."