TEMPERS have become frayed over parking disputes outside a school.

Home Farm Primary School in Colchester expanded to a two form entry school in September last year.

Since then, parking during pick-up and drop-off times has become a nightmare.

Parents have been getting involved in arguments, including swearing at staff.

Greg Hale, who has two children at the school in Shelley Road, said the matter was getting out of hand.

He said: “It was always tight around there for parking, I raised concerns a while ago with the council.

“The school and the headteacher have been really supportive, but the challenge came along when they expanded last year.”

Parents and staff have contacted the North Essex Parking Partnership to find a solution.

Mr Hale said: “There is a need for more school places, but the council didn’t take into account the impact on parking.

“I feel sorry for the residents as people park on driveways and pull up on to the kerb, which is dangerous for the children.

“It’s really bad, people are arguing and shouting at each other.”

Mr Hale walks his children to school and said he has even observed parents swearing at the headteacher.

Some schools in the area use the 3PR school parking initiative which aims to reduce inconsiderate parking.

Headteacher Richard Potter said: “A lot of the schools in Colchester have parking issues.

“I do accept parents have to drop their children off and go straight to their jobs.

“Some schools can use the 3PR initiative, but you need a car park within 100 metres of the school to qualify.

“We have been here since 1966, 50 Fifty years on and commuter habits have changed.

“I report to the police any poor parking decisions and I monitor it personally.”

Mr Potter said he would like to see No Waiting signs or the U-shape road made a one-way road.

A North Essex Parking Partnership spokesman said: “The NEPP undertakes parking enforcement and waiting restrictions at schools to help make streets safer.

“With more than 300 schools across north Essex that require enforcement activity at similar start and finish times, our enforcement teams patrol as often as possible, working to ensure a fair allocation of resources.

“If residents and the school feel they would benefit from increased parking restrictions, they can apply to the North Essex Parking Partnership demonstrating support, including from the ward councillor.”