PARKING restrictions should come into force outside a busy school following “poor and inconsiderate” parking by parents dropping and collecting their children, a councillor has said.

Worcestershire County councillor Tony Miller said he had been reluctant to act but had been forced to do so after neighbours and parish councillors contacted him about the parking issues near Himbleton CE First School, near Droitwich.

Cllr Miller has applied to the authority for a single yellow line to be painted down Neight Hill, with only a maximum stay of 45 minutes allowed, and double yellows lines to be painted on a bend at a junction with Harrow Lane. Cllr Miller said: “I didn’t want to have to do this, I feel bad about it - we have enough rules as it is - but it is now unavoidable. There has been poor parking, and the road gets so narrow it is difficult for an emergency vehicle to get down. If a house was on fire, and someone was in danger, a fire engine would have to push a car out the way.”

Nearby Himbleton Cricket Club offers its car park to help ease congestion and it was “well used” club chairman Stuart Dickenson told us.

Cllr Miller added: “I don’t understand why the club’s car park is not the staff car park. Staff park on the road and leave their cars all day. There is no need for that, especially when free parking is being provided. And parents should really be walking their children.”

Cllr Miller highlighted the “selfish” acts of parking on the bend by parents, as an issue that needed sorting. “Parking is done without any thought,” he said.

“If we get the lines I’d want parking wardens there a few times a day to check parking. Parents would still park there, but there would be tickets issued and that would stop them.”

A Himbleton resident, who did not want to be named, said it had been a “long running” issue and he felt there had been confusion whether the school was encouraging people to park at the club or not.

Gemma Martin, the school’s headteacher, said: “We actively encourage our families to use the club car park at drop off and collection times, so as to minimise traffic on Neight Hill. We are keen to work as part of the community to ensure the safety of all and therefore the school’s Parent Teacher Association (Friends of Himbleton School) contribute to the maintenance of this community facility.

"The school has responded to the council’s parking consultation for the area and look forward to hearing the outcome. We welcome any measures proposed to promote the safety and welfare of our children, families, staff and the wider community.”

Councillor Alan Amos, cabinet member with responsibility for Highways at Worcestershire County Council said: “We have received a request to restrict the parking on Neight Hill near to Himbleton First School and we are currently consulting on a proposal for the area.

"We will continue to liaise with Councillor Miller regarding the best options.”