PARENTS and local residents have demanded that "terrible" parking outside a Basildon school that is causing daily chaos be dealt with. 

Parking outside Lee Chapel School has become so bad that a local bus company has even diverted its route to avoid it.

According to worried parents and residents, there have also been several 'near misses' between vehicles and children. 

"It can be very dangerous at school times," one parent said, "I think it's inconsiderate and stupid parents who are just parking for their own convenience and not thinking about other people.

"I have seen some near misses, with drivers almost hitting people and children. We really need a dedicated traffic or parking warden here, especially at school start and finish times.

"It's about the safety of people, which I think is the most important thing. I do worry about someone or more than one person being seriously hurt because of the terrible and unacceptable parking."

The South Essex Parking Partnership, which is responsible for on-street parking enforcement in South Essex, says it "continues to provide regular enforcement patrols across a number of school sites" and that "last year 166 visits were made in this area during term time."

But local residents, such as Michelle Brown, say they have never seen a parking warden on the road. 

"The parking is often awful, it feels like the road is just full of cars when it's school times," Ms Brown, 46, said. "I have never seen a parking warden or anyone doing any checks.

"We really need lots more patrols and checks in this area to help deal with this issue. It's been like it for years now. I think it's shocking how some drivers behave.

"It can be very dangerous. I think something should have been done a long time ago."

The parking has become so bad that First Bus has started diverting its B2 service from The Knares during school hours because of the road's "ongoing issues."

The bus company says that "illegal parking" was "creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians, passengers and other road users" and it could no longer send its buses down the road during school run times. 

Local resident David Longshaw, 69, said he could understand why First has given up going down the road.

"I am not surprised buses can't get down this road because the parking is terrible," he said, "Wwe shouldn't have to put up with this.

"I also feel sorry for the people who get that bus; it must be inconvenient for them. I think it shows how bad the issue is that buses have been diverted. I'd like to know what is being done about this and when we can see some action." 

A spokesman for The South Essex Parking Partnership said: "We continue to provide regular enforcement patrols across a number of school sites in Basildon, including The Knares. Although daily enforcement at all schools is not operationally possible, we do endeavour to visit areas particularly affected, such as this one, more frequently. Last year 166 visits were made in this area during term time.

"Our officers can only enforce parking restrictions where they are in place, which is not the case for the whole of The Knares. Parking on unrestricted sections of the road does contribute to congestion. It is important that some unrestricted areas remain to provide suitable parking for residents.

"The South Essex Parking Partnership and Essex County Council are in the process of appointing a dedicated School Liaison Officer to provide education and advice to motorists and enforce parking restrictions where needed. The Knares will be an area that will benefit from this additional resource."