Driver's extreme step to stop parents parking on 'their' road for school drop-off

Ellen Manning
Car blocking the footpath. Photo released September 5 2024. A disgruntled resident has taken to blocking a footpath with their car in a long-running row over primary school parking.A cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has been in an ongoing feud with parents who use the private road to park when dropping their kids off at school. The Meadowcroft estate just off the high street is connected by a footpath to St Hilda’s Preparatory School, which makes it an ideal spot for parents to park- to the frustration of residents.Around 18 months ago, ANPR cameras were installed to discourage parents parking and £100 penalty charges started appearing in the post.
A disgruntled resident has taken to blocking a footpath with their car in a long-running row over primary school parking in Bushey, Hertfordshire. (SWNS) (SWNS)

An angry resident has taken to blocking a footpath with their car to stop parents using a cul-de-sac as a school drop off spot.

The move is the latest escalation in a long-running row in Bushey, Hertfordshire over parents using the private road to park when taking their children to a nearby school. The Meadowcroft estate is connected by a footpath to St Hilda’s Preparatory School for Girls, making it an ideal place for parents to park.

ANPR cameras were installed around 18 months ago, with £100 penalty charges issued to discourage parents. But despite the efforts, the row appears to have escalated, with 'private road' daubed on the road in late July.

Graffiti stating “private road” at the entrance to the cul-de-sac. Photo released September 5 2024. A disgruntled resident has taken to blocking a footpath with their car in a long-running row over primary school parking.A cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has been in an ongoing feud with parents who use the private road to park when dropping their kids off at school. The Meadowcroft estate just off the high street is connected by a footpath to St Hilda’s Preparatory School, which makes it an ideal spot for parents to park- to the frustration of residents.Around 18 months ago, ANPR cameras were installed to discourage parents parking and £100 penalty charges started appearing in the post.
In July, 'private road' was daubed on the road by an angry resident. (SWNS) (SWNS)

One resident has now taken to blocking off the footpath with their car, sparking concerns from parents for their children's safety.

A St Hilda’s parent, who received two fines totalling £120 for parking on the street last year, said: “We completely respect the residents' right to privacy and we don’t want to intrude.

"Parents are genuinely worried for their children's safety and we just want to take our children to and from school."

The 41-year-old dad added: “Now we have to park on the other side and navigate quite an extremely busy road everyday. I don’t think we cause any disruption by walking through the area.”

He claimed there had been further verbal clashes recently as parents continued to use the street for summer activities.

St Hilda’s Preparatory School for Girls and Hertfordshire County Council have been approached for comment.

Car blocking an the footpath. Photo released September 5 2024. A disgruntled resident has taken to blocking a footpath with their car in a long-running row over primary school parking.A cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has been in an ongoing feud with parents who use the private road to park when dropping their kids off at school. The Meadowcroft estate just off the high street is connected by a footpath to St Hilda’s Preparatory School, which makes it an ideal spot for parents to park- to the frustration of residents.Around 18 months ago, ANPR cameras were installed to discourage parents parking and £100 penalty charges started appearing in the post.
In the latest escalation a car has been parked across the footpath, blocking access. (SWNS) (SWNS)

According to the RAC, it is "perfectly legal" to park outside someone’s house, unless the vehicle is blocking a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb.

"Where no parking controls exist, drivers do not have an ‘automatic spot’ for parking outside their homes," the organisation advises.

If your vehicle is on your driveway and another car is parked on a public highway and blocking your access out of your driveway, the council has the power to act, says the RAC. But if that other car is on a drive, it’s technically on private property – and the council has no authority to remove it.

You also can't park on streets where residents’ parking permits are needed, or anywhere where there are restrictions like double yellow lines.

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