Further complaints around parking during school pick-up times has led to a message to motorists to not "endanger a child's life" by Ipswich Borough Council.

Parking around schools for pickup and drop-off times has always been an issue for parents, the schools and residents at three schools around the town. 

This occurs outside most schools, with parents stopping on double yellow lines, zigzag lines, verges, ruining the surrounding areas, and sometimes pavements, forcing families to walk out into the road.

Parents at The Oaks Primary School in Ipswich were criticised recently for the 'mayhem' they caused, despite the school sending out regular communications to parents.

One resident living near Halifax School on Prince of Wales Drive has criticised parents' parking.

In previous years, parents were able to use the co-op store and Age UK parking opposite the school.

However, the building is now being demolished in favour of social housing, leading to the loss of those parking spaces.

The resident said: "With the car park being fenced off and no parking allowed at the school for parents, this has resulted in an astronomically high volume of traffic along this, and many side roads.

"Parents regularly arrive at 2.20pm despite the school ending at 3.15pm, just so they can get 'their' parking slot."

The layby outside the school is regularly full, and the bus stop is also used as an extended car park.

The school has also sent out letters, but the issue still persists.

The resident continued: "People just park where they want to, regardless of whether they are breaking the law, and they have a total disregard for parking across residents' driveways."

A similar situation occurs outside Murrayfield School on Nacton Road, with the back entrance on St David's Road being the main issue.

A parent, who is also a councillor at the school, said: "Parents park on double yellow lines which are also on a corner.

"We have spoken to parents about how dangerous it is, and whether they could move.

"We, however, are met with abuse or they just ignore us.

"Our headteacher has sent out many communications regarding parking safely, and we have also had patrols outside.

"This works while they are standing there, but the next day, it is back to normal."

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council, which enforces parking, said: "The Parking Enforcement Team works closely with schools and Suffolk County Council to educate motorists about parking issues during arrival and departure times outside schools.

"Although our civil enforcement team carry out patrols to help with congestion issues, they cannot be outside one particular school every day.

"We urge drivers to think before they park and not endanger a child’s life by ignoring parking and waiting restrictions, which are in place for the safety of everyone."

They, along with Suffolk County Council, are encouraging parents to park further away from the school gate, and walk or cycle to school to improve the safety of school journeys.

Suffolk County Council's website states: 'Parents who take their children to and from school by car are creating a risk to pedestrians and cyclists, increasing congestion around the school and creating higher levels of exposure to pollution.'

Initiatives suggested by the councils include a voluntary car lift share scheme, meaning fewer cars, cycle training and permit schemes, or 'park and stride', where parents park away from the school at designated sites and walk the remainder of the distance.