Residents living near a school in Andover have described their concerns over a parking “nightmare” outside their homes.

As previously reported in the Advertiser, residents of Vigo Road in Andover have been worried about the volume of traffic using the road as a “rat run” past the primary school.

As winter draws in, they are concerned over the number of cars being used to drop off and pick children up from school, which are blocking their driveways, and using paths “as a second road.”

One resident, Chris, said that these cars do “not have a care for residents,” and have been churning up mud as they park on the grass banks. “It’s turned into the Battle of the Somme round here,” he told the Advertiser.

The 55-year-old said that the cars parked along the road at the start and end of the school day meant that it was difficult to see around the bend when children are crossing the road.

“It’s a bit of a nightmare,” he said. “You take your life in your hands. It’s mayhem here.”

Borough Councillor for St Mary’s, Iris Andersen, said that the situation was “becoming a mess.”

“It is now becoming very dangerous,” she said, adding: “eventually, a child will get hurt.”

She called on Hampshire County Council to take action, suggesting that they could paint ‘No Parking’ on residents’ driveways, allow trees and shrubs to be grown on the grass banks or install short wooden bollards known as dragons’ teeth, in an effort to improve the parking situation.

She said that while some people would use the council’s ‘Park and Stride’ scheme, which asks parents to park at the Vigo Road recreation ground, TK Maxx or Swallow Pub and walk to school from there, “sadly, the real world is they drop the children off and go onto work.”

“They won’t walk,” she added, “especially on a wet day.”

She did note, however, that the council’s traffic wardens were now visiting the school, which she said was evidence that the parking issue was being “taken seriously now.”

Police officers have also visited a number of schools across Andover, including Vigo Primary School, to enforce parking regulations in the last week, handing out thirty warnings to parents.

Councillor Rob Humby, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “We are working closely with both Vigo Primary School and Norman Gate School to inform and educate pupils and parents about safe, responsible parking outside the schools.

“I would urge drivers to always think carefully about where they leave their cars and be considerate of other road users, residents and pedestrians, especially near schools. There are three park and stride sites that are all within a 10 to 12 minute walk of the schools to encourage parents who drive to school to park away from the school gate, and walk the last part of the journey.”

Vigo Primary School was contacted for comment.