CUT-PRICE parking at two Southend car parks could be offered to teachers and staff at a school embroiled in a parking permit dispute. 

Staff working at St Bernard’s School, in Milton Road, Westcliff, may be offered discounted parking at the North Road and Shorefield car parks by Southend Council, as bosses look to find a happy middle ground for the school and residents. 

Earlier this month, the school threatened to close after a parking permit scheme was introduced in the roads surrounding the school, leaving teachers and other staff nowhere to park. 

Residents living in surrounding roads, including Hadleigh Road and Retreat Road, have revealed it is often “chaos” in the area with homeowners struggling to park due to parents and teachers parking in the area. 

Steven Wakefield, Independent councillor responsible for highways, transport and parking, said: “It’s in hand and councillors are talking to the school and doing all they can to deal with the issue to find a compromise.

“The North Road and Shorefield car parks are on the table as well as other options as well. We are in contact with the school to see if there are options available to assist the school in the event that staff have difficulties in making alternative arrangements to travel to the school once the scheme is in place.”

The school had initially threatened to close last Monday due to the parking permits, before a late U-turn. 

Lesley Taylor, 59, of Hadleigh Road, said: “The parking permits were requested by all of us residents as the school takes up all the space in the roads.

“They park in the road, in such a bad way you would never get a fire engine, ambulance or bin lorry up the road.

 “We also have parents parking badly when collecting students, who get irate when you ask them not to park over my gate.

“I have a pram and need access to the street without hindrance.”

Stephen Cook, 58, of Retreat Road, said parking is a nightmare.

He said: “I have lost wing mirrors from my car more than once and there are people who have disabilities who can’t get parked near their homes, and this has been an ongoing problem for years.”

St Bernard’s School was contacted for comment.