Neighbours around a Harpenden primary have insisted that restricting parking is not a good solution to managing the school road.

St Albans district council (SADC) are currently consulting on plans to install parking restrictions along Pickford Hill, by Sauncey Wood Primary School, after concerns over safety were raised.

Parents report that vehicles mount the pavement when trying to pass rows of parked cars in the narrow road.

The proposals aim to stop excessive parking along the road around drop-off and pick-up times, therefore improving safety for children at the school.

They include keep clear markings and waiting restrictions between 8am and 9am on weekdays.

However, neighbours say it will stop them parking their cars anywhere near their homes.

Although not directly affected by the proposals, local resident Paul Freeman first raised this issue when his own children were walking to Sauncey Wood.

He said: “It was really quite dangerous. I put forward the idea of tackling the problem by taking the grass verge out and making it parking lay-bys, I think that would be the best option.

“Then they have a situation where there is a flow of traffic rather than the other way around.

“I tried for a year plus to get some sort of thing done and really got nowhere.

“I will support anything that will make it safe but I don’t know why they have gone for this. So I don’t really support this because it is not what is needed.”

Sauncey Wood was contacted for comment.

There are other parking restriction proposals included in the consultation across the whole district, including St Albans, London Colney and other villages.

Head of community services at SADC, Joe Tavernier, said: “The council has received complaints and concerns about inappropriate and inconsiderate parking in various locations around the district. We are currently consulting on a number of proposals to install various waiting and loading restrictions such as yellow lines.

“This includes restrictions around schools. Any points that people would like to make about the proposals will be considered as part of the consultation process.”

The consultation is open until April 19. View the proposals at tinyurl.com/yxrq833e