A HEADTEACHER has issued a stern warning to parents after claiming their bad parking and blocking driveways is putting children in serious danger.

Patrick Berry, headteacher at The Billericay School in School Road, has hit out at parents over parking near the school.

The issue is now considered so serious the police have been contacted.

In a strongly-worded letter to parents Mr Berry said drivers were parking within the designated bus stop causing “significant problems.”

He said: “It is unfortunately resulting in the buses being forced to stop on a main carriageway.

“This road has a speed limit of 50mph and any unnecessary congestion poses a serious risk to drivers and pedestrians.

“In addition to the evident safety aspect, this situation has also led to students being late for lesson, through no fault of their own, as the bus drivers are unable to park safely.”

Mr Berry added: “When deciding on this location, I would urge you to also consider our neighbours who, quite rightly, should have 24-hour access to their drives and properties, without restriction from parked or waiting cars.”

Mr Berry said the school had now contacted the police and asked the situation is monitored.

He said: “We are also in discussions with local parking enforcement officers who have advised that plans are already in place to erect cameras in order to monitor and manage illegal parking in the area around the school.”

Phil Turner, councillor for Billericay West, said the issues had been ongoing for a long time.

He said: “We looked to try and make a parking area for parents. But it wasn’t viable to be honest and those issues that have been with us for a long, long time, and they’re not going to go away anytime soon.

“We’re all grown adults. You must act responsibly, whether it’s at Billericay School or any other school in the area.

“Yes, people want to travel or must travel by car, to pick up their kids and drop them off in the morning. But can we have a bit of common sense to have a bit of courtesy and a bit of emotional intelligence when you’re parking your car.

“People have to be a little bit kinder to others.”