A BUS service could be withdrawn because of dangerous parking by parents outside a school.

Bus drivers on the Arriva 541 service from Loughton to Epping are so frustrated by the delays they face in trying to negotiate the traffic around Lambourne Primary School, they have started photographing the drivers who are blocking their path.

Resident Raymond Smee said: “It is so dangerous and sometimes we can’t get our cars out of the drive. This is a very busy route and people come down this road at silly speeds. I’d like the county council to extend the yellow lines and actually have a parking attendant patrolling down here, but it seems like it’ll take a serious accident before they do anything.

“If that bus goes it’s going to damage a lot of people’s lives, especially the elderly people living around here.”

For months Lambourne headteacher Graham Alderton has been asking parents to park more considerately, writing to them in the monthly newsletter and speaking to them directly, a move which has resulted in him being abused on several occasions.

He said: “I’ve warned the parish council that it’s not just parents doing it, it’s residents and contractors parking here too. I try to intervene and support the community, but that isn’t my job, I can’t be out there morning noon and night asking parents to be responsible.”

One parent at the school who would not give her name said she would continue to park wherever she liked, but others were more understanding of the problems.

Sharon Gilbert said: “If people need to park they should do so further down the road. I walk to school but the cars park on both sides of the road so the bus can’t get past. This means that the bus ends up blocking the village.

Jacqueline Eggleston said: “I wouldn’t call it chaotic, but some people do park badly.

Donna Martin said: “I drive but I park around the corner so I don’t block the street. Parents know what time the bus comes so they shouldn’t park in its way. If the bus service was cancelled it would be terrible for the old people, they rely on it for shopping.”

Lambourne Parish Council have received a letter from operators Arriva warning that the situation was threatening the future of the service.

Service user Janet McKeen said: “I use it quite a lot, about four or five times a month and I find it quite important because I can’t drive. You get someone parking and they go in and take the children into the playground which is fine, but then others come and double park beside them.”

A spokesman for Arriva said: “Arriva operate the 541 service under contract to Essex County Council. It has been necessary to bring to their attention the difficulties our drivers are facing when driving around the Abridge estate due to inconsiderately parked cars at peak times. As the route is operated under contract, any decision to alter the service would be made by Essex County Council. We hope we are able to resolve this issue very soon.”