THE 'moral fibre' and questionable tactics of Thurrock Council traffic enforcement officers has been questioned after they turned up to target a local school today (Tuesday, 17 December).

Though some parents have applauded the action against rogue parkers outside Lansdowne School in Tilbury a significant number have taken to social media to say the action is unfair - and a neighbouring business has been blasted for contributing to parking problems.

The anti-officer objections were summed up by one local resident who said: "I have watched this happen so many times outside schools. It's not a coincidence that it's always a day when its raining.

"That is cold and calculating and shows their moral fibre."

However, she was equally scathing of a nearby garage which parks its vehicles in the road, limiting opportunities for parents and carers to drop off their children, saying: "As for the garage and their persistent illegal parking, the council should do what they'd do to any ordinary member of the public - tow them away and impound the vehicles."

The concern was shared by another who says: " I walk my children to school every day. Those scrap cars and vans are really dangerous, they are in the parking spaces and just left to rot."

Annoyance with the garage was widespread in social media comments, but there was some sympathy for the council enforcement team exemplified by parent Keely Graham who said: " I think it's great they're outside the school. You know how careless some of these parents' driving is sometimes.

"Me and my son usually bike to school and nobody looks where they're driving at all so I'm glad they're keeping everyone away. It's so much better without all the cars everywhere."

Local ward councillor John Allen has joined the debate and has asked local residents to share their views with him, so he can take matters up with Thurrock Council. He can be contacted via the additional info link below.