WORRIED residents say children's lives are STILL being put at risk outside a popular school - because new parking restrictions have not been properly enforced.

'No dropping' rules were introduced in Whitehall Road, in Woodford Green, in September to stop parents double parking outside Bancroft's School in the morning and afternoons.

But people living nearby say the restrictions have made no difference - and that it is only a matter of time before a child is hit by a car in the crowded street.

Residents say a traffic warden appeared for the first time on Monday, but only patrolled the area for ten minutes before leaving again.

Tony Rumsey, of Chiltern Way, said he has seen no improvement in Whitehall Road at school opening and closing times.

He said: "It's dangerous. Something is going to happen up there unless these restrictions are enforced.

"I wouldn't be happy if one of my children was being dropped off in that busy road.

"Parents just park up on the double yellow lines because they can get away with it. I've not seen any wardens around there."

Fellow Chiltern Way resident Nicholas Stokes said Whitehall Road was still 'chaos' in the mornings and afternoons.

He said: "It's chaos in the mornings and afternoons. I just don't bother trying to get out of the road at those times.

"You hear alot of horns being sounded when people are dropping their children off, and the top of our road is blocked with parents turning their cars around.

"I've not seen any difference."

Malcolm Dawes, also of Chiltern Way, said: "I've not seen any enforcement taking place.

"I think most people around here were in favour of the parking restrictions, but they are not working at the moment."

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."