Residents describe daily disruption and safety fears
David Prince and Plymouth Live readers
10:22, 28 Nov 2025
Pennycross School on Ham Drive where safety concerns around parking are being addressed(Image: Google Street View)
Plymouth Live readers have been expressing strong opinions about the issue of school-run parking and traffic around Plymouth schools, a problem they say is long-standing and citywide. They believe the chaos caused by traffic at school gates is posing a risk to young lives across Plymouth.
Local councillors are calling for more action to protect children from illegal parking on double yellow lines and zigzags by parents during school drop-off and pick-up times. There have even been reports of cars parking in residents’ driveways and completely blocking roads during these times.
Cllr Chris Wood (Con, Eggbuckland) presented a motion to Plymouth City Council this week, requesting increased enforcement and a public awareness campaign to highlight the risks posed by illegal, inconsiderate, and dangerous parking. The motion received unanimous support from all members.
While acknowledging that enforcement is taking place, Cllr Wood stated that the situation outside many schools “remained unacceptable”.
“Too many drivers still take a gamble and the risk they create is all too real. There is reduced visibility for children crossing roads, congestion that frustrates residents and blocked access for emergency vehicles. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info” he said.
“When markings designed for safety are ignored, children and families are put in harm’s way and that is something this council should not accept.”
One reader, Bigpowers comments: “All the fakers and entitled people do it because society gives them everything for nothing so there is no respect for safety of children or anyone but themselves. The problem is they outweigh ( in more ways than one ) the decent people now.”
Jannermaid believes: “This problem is nothing new as this is happening outside most schools, but nothing ever gets done about it!”
PL4 says: “It’s yet another consequence of the abject failure of public transport to meet the needs of the people of Plymouth. If we had affordable and reliable options to get about the city the ‘school run’ and subsequent parking issues would not exist.”
Joe123 states: “Umm, people parking on yellow lines and zig-zags and generally causing chaos isn’t because of lack of public transport. They do it because they are inconsiderate. Incidentally, these school-run drivers would still choose to drive, no matter how many buses there are.”
Plymouth123 asks: “How about parking a slightly further but safer distance away and walking. Problem solved.”
Sausageknocker replies: “People have become entitled and emboldened with impunity.”
Leslin says: “Parents even park on the roundabout at the school where I live.”
Sloopdog1 comments: “Time to ban car pick-ups and get back free school buses. I’d rather see that than scrap the 2 child cap on child benefits, what’s the point of having a little extra cash for loads of kids when education is so bad. Agree it worked 40 years ago when public transport was frequent and cheap, we could have that again if we had the 14 billion spent on illegal migrants.”
While over on our Facebook page, Angie Le-Gallez writes: “Back when my children went to school it was in the catchment area and they walked.”
James Gray suggests: “Ever tried to get to Manadon Park estate during school pick up time? Cars parked everywhere, pavements, roundabouts, grass.”
Anne Cox believes: “Nothing changes, we lived beside a school, double yellows both sides of the Street that even residents couldn’t park outside their homes, yet parents parked on them every morning and afternoon, even though some only lived a Street away! School now gone, but double yellows still there and residents who do park on them get fined, and yet all the years the school was there, not one parent was ever fined!”
Mark Squire feels: “It’s a no brainer. Enforcement and fine. Kids are safe council makes money why are they not all over this.”
Susan Parkhouse thinks: “Bus service needs to be better and cheaper, then about 90 pounds a month. Need more schools near where people live.”
Julie Crocker adds: “I can’t even park sometimes in Holman Court, which is a cul-de-sac behind this school, and I LIVE THERE. They park where they like, and if they care to read the sign as they enter the car park. It states private residents only. I’m going to park my car across the entrance one day so they can’t get out. Shouldn’t be in there in the first place.”
What do you think about how the parking situation is being handled? Should they act faster or are they doing enough? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
