RESIDENTS are becoming increasingly frustrated by parents parking outside schools, a councillor said.

Mark Burley, a councillor for Newbarns, said tensions had escalated.

Police have been patrolling Rating Lane and last week county council traffic wardens issued three tickets to drivers. A council spokesman said traffic wardens spoke to 30 drivers altogether.

Mr Burley said one Newbarns resident had told him they faced a wait of 20 minutes for a parent to move their car to get out of their house.

He said: “I believe the situation is getting a little bit worse as there's quite a bit of confrontation now, between teachers and parents.

“It’s a big issue and a lot of residents seem to be getting more and more frustrated.”

The councillor said he was due to talk with the police and Cumbria Highways to discuss a way forward.

He suggested making Rating Lane one-way or introducing parking permits for residents.

Police have cracked down on parents parking outside schools, pointing out that parking on zig-zags was ultimately dangerous for children.

PCSOs have been on patrol outside a number of schools in Barrow alongside enforcement officers from Cumbria County Council.

Schools on Rating Lane include St Bernard’s Catholic High School, Chetwynde School and Barrow Sixth Form College.

Newbarns Primary School head Gary Birkett said: “We are very grateful to the councillors, police and traffic enforcement officers supporting us over this matter.

“We can understand how frustrating it is for local residents who have their accesses blocked and parents who have to park further and further away from school in order to not commit an offence, cause a danger or an obstruction.”

Furness College deputy principal and head of sixth form Mark Nicholson said: “Our students’ safety and that of pupils at our neighbouring schools on Rating Lane is of utmost importance to us. We welcome the school parking patrols to monitor traffic on what can be a very busy road.”

Chetwynde School’s head Steve Jefferson said: “I’m very pleased to see police and county taking action to keep our pupils safe.”