FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning to parents over “bad parking” after crews were delayed reaching a primary school in Hockley.

Essex Fire and Rescue crews were called to Hockley Primary School at 8.30am on Monday – the first day back at school for children.

Fire crews rushed to the school but were delayed by “bad parking” along Osbourne Avenue.

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Firefighters from Hawkwell and Rayleigh Weir stations eventually reached the school where they discovered the call out had been triggered by a faulty fire alarm.

However, the service has issued a warning to parents stating, if the callout had been an emergency, “bad parking” could have put lives at the school at risk.

Simon Harris, whose son attends the school, said: “Thankfully there was nothing major happening at the school but it’s important we as parents make sure emergency services can get down that road.

“When I park down there, I try to get as close to the pavement as possible. But there are a few people who, to be honest, don’t do that.

“And this time it has resulted in the firefighters struggling to get down the road which really highlights the issue. In an emergency this sort of parking could have very serious consequences.”

Mr Harris says he was told by another parent that they had witnessed firemen having to jump out of the fire engine and quickly push in car mirrors of parked cars to get down to the school.

He added: “It doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t drive to pick up and drop off their children, we all understand why that is sometimes necessary, but we need to be responsible when we do.”

An Essex Fire spokesman said: “Crews from Hawkwell and Rayleigh Weir were called to Hockley Primary School in Chevening Gardens at 8.30am today. It was a faulty fire alarm and there wasn’t a fire.

“We would urge people to please consider how they park. Bad parking can put lives at risk if a fire engine or other emergency service vehicle can’t fit through.”

Hockley Primary was contacted for comment.