TEACHERS have had to endure abuse when challenging school-run parents on their “disgraceful and inconsiderate” parking, a meeting heard.

Kerb mounting, blocked driveways and an aggressive minority of motorists have blighted the streets around Whitehouse Primary School in Stockton for more than 30-years.

But an emergency meeting of Stockton Council's crime and disorder select committee heard how the problem in Elm Tree was getting worse – and that parents were overstepping the mark with school staff.

Ian Brown, chairman of governors at Whitehouse Primary, said: “My staff have been subject to verbal abuse.

“I went into the school yesterday – they talked to parents about the parking situation and it was disgraceful the way people were parking and just blatantly ignoring the rules."

Parking troubles on Dunelm Road, Barlborough Avenue and adjoining cul-de-sacs have irritated residents for years. 

A Dunelm Road resident, who has lived on the stretch for 30 years, told the panel drivers would mount the pavement at speed – adding there had been two cases where children were “narrowly missed”. 

She added: “We’ve had cars leaving insufficient room on the pavement for wheelchairs and prams, heavy vehicles causing frequent damage to paving stones resulting in more problems.

“And very aggressive and frequent swearing when incidents occur which is quite upsetting to the many elderly residents."

Ward councillors Julia Cherrett and David Minchella are trying to get Stockton Council to do more and impose a “public space protection order” (PSPO) on motorists.

These orders give the council power to impose tougher penalties and fines on drivers breaking the law. 

But the committee was told the council simply didn’t have the resources to impose the sanctions.

Marc Stephenson, from the authority’s enforcement team, said: “We don’t have an infinite number of enforcement officers to deploy – the maximum number of officers we can turn out on a morning across the borough’s 60-plus schools is five. 

“And there are other duties to be undertaken on crime and anti-social behaviour.” 

Mr Stephenson explained PSPOs were criminal orders – meaning offences had to be proved “beyond reasonable doubt”.

This would make it even more difficult to impose parking tickets and fines in the area.

Meanwhile, chair of the governors Mr Brown said: “We cannot penalise the child’s education because of disgraceful and inconsiderate parking behaviour of a small minority of parents."