FEARS are growing that cars parked by parents outside an Alvaston school could prevent emergency vehicles reaching a serious incident.

Parking problems, regularly highlighted by the local Neighbourhood Watch, have been increasingly worrying residents near St John Fisher Catholic Primary School.

Kevin Winson, of the watch group, asked residents to keep a log of accidents and incidents and said the problem has got worse.

This is despite a series of appeals to parents by the school to park more considerately. Last year pupils were banned by red tape from putting up awareness posters on lampposts.

Mr Winson, of Manifold Drive, said: "Once again inconsiderate parking by parents is causing a major problem for local residents.

"On several afternoons recently, it has been impossible for cars to enter or exit Manifold Drive or Lilian Prime Close because of parents double parking and blocking the view at junctions.

"This has left drivers waiting up to 15 minutes. I dread to think what could have been the outcome had the emergency services needed access."

Tim Banton, city council area traffic engineer, said: "I would be very reluctant to ban all cars from parking close to schools, as they do alert drivers to the fact that children may be crossing the road.

"Obstruction, blocking residents' drives, parking over pedestrian crossing points, parking on footways are all short-term problems that, while inconvenient, are hard to enforce."

Mr Banton said the council's road safety and travelwise team is committed to giving children road safety skills and encouraging more people to walk and cycle to school.

He said: "The Cycle Derby team delivers cycle training and runs an after-school cycle club at St John Fisher and also Scootability scheme, encouraging children to go to school on scooters.

"The important thing is to ensure that a safe place to cross is maintained and vehicle speeds are low. "