FRUSTRATED residents say a controversial new parking scheme should be scrapped unless the council is prepared to put more resources into enforcing it.

Restrictions were introduced in September outside Bancroft's School, in Whitehall Road, Woodford Green, to stop parents causing gridlock by dropping children off there in the mornings and afternoons.

But people living nearby say the new rules - which are part of a Transport for London (TfL) funded project to improve road safety around several Woodford Green schools - were only enforced for the first time on Monday, with just one traffic warden turning up to patrol for ten minutes before most parents had even arrived.

Road safety campaigner Geoff Seeff said the new restrictions were 'completely useless' unless the council puts more effort into enforcing them.

He said: "These restrictions are not popular with residents because they are worried it will just force the problem into their roads - but we're never going to know if it'll work unless it's properly resourced.

"Sending someone down here for a few minutes before many parents are around is not very effective.

"Something obviously needs to be done to stop parents dropping off their kids in front of Bancroft's because it's dangerous, but I think a more strategic approach for the whole area should be looked at when these restrictions are reviewed in six months time."

Tony Goodman, of nearby Newlands Road, said many parents were simply ignoring the restrictions.

He said: "Many parents are still just dropping their kids off like they always did.

"It's a complete nightmare in the mornings and afternoons and there's been no improvement since these restrictions were put in place.

"You never see any traffic wardens around here."

A council spokeswoman said: "A council spokeswoman said: "The council has introduced these parking controls as part of a series of measures designed to improve safety around this school, especially for its pupils.

"Enforcement is important to achieve compliance with the restrictions and we will be applying both CCTV enforcement utilising the Council's mobile patrol and the new 'Smart' car as well as traditional foot patrols by our Civil Enforcement Officers.

"We trust compliance will improve over the coming weeks as motorists recognise that their failure to comply with the restrictions will result in the issue of penalty charge notices."