‘PARKING WARS’ are driving residents living near Bolton School to distraction.

They say parents dropping the children off at the school in Chorley New Road are blocking them in by parking across driveways, and pulling into areas which are residents’ access-only.

Neighbours say when the drivers are asked to move they sometimes suffer a mouthful of abuse.

One resident said: “I have a son with cerebral palsy and cannot get on to my drive, which causes problems.

“The majority of parents will move if you ask them but some are just so rude, with one saying she was ‘above the law’ and her son gave an abusive finger gesture.

“This has gone on pre-covid and now with the cycle lanes the cars are parking in them.”

Residents on Chassen Road (below) say parents are violating the ‘access for residents-only’ regulation and causing obstructions and a danger.

The Bolton News:

“It’s only a matter of time before children in the street get knocked over and hurt,” said one.

Now members of the Heaton and Lostock Labour Party are calling for action to be taken.

In a statement, it said: “When parents have been taken to task by residents, they and even their children have become abusive, one even claiming that ‘the rules do not apply to me’.

“Heaton and Lostock Labour Party is extremely concerned about the disruption caused to people living around the school and other road users. We note that parking on yellow lines, including in parts of cycle lanes where the white line is unbroken, is an offence and we urge Bolton Parking Services to take appropriate action – not just warn parents.”

The Bolton News:

(Cars in cycle lanes on Chorley New Road)

Headmistress of Bolton School girls’ division Sue Hincks said: “It is very important to us to be a good neighbour and we regularly remind parents and older pupils to be considerate when they park in the vicinity of the school.”

Head of the boys’ division Philip Britton said: “We manage car parking around the site and have colleagues on the perimeter pavements and roads to assist.

“We inform our parents where we know of traffic restrictions, but it is of course not possible for us to take any part in enforcement on the highway. We have reported issues to the police and the council.”