Drivers leaving streets looking like 'ploughed fields' (From The Advertiser Series)

Darlington resident says parents on school run causing serious damage to grass verges

11:31am Sunday 20th January 2013 in News By Steven Hugill

A RESIDENT has claimed irresponsible drivers are leaving streets looking like ploughed fields by parking on paths and driveways when dropping children off at school.

Keith Leonard, of Bishop Close, Darlington, says motorists parking near the Education Village, in Salters Lane South, have no consideration for homeowners and block streets and damage grass verges with their vehicles.

Mr Leonard was responding to an article in The Northern Echo which highlighted concerns from Henry Beaumont, of Dunelm Walk, who said parents using the Education Village were putting people’s lives at risk by driving on paths and parking on verges.

Councillor Ian Haszeldine, a former mayor of Darlington, said grass verges in Heathfield, Davison Road and Geneva Road have also been badly affected by drivers.

Mr Leonard said: “I cut that grass and live here, so I would expect to be able to park here as well, and I don’t want it to end up looking like a ploughed field.

“I came back from picking up some shopping and had to carry it all the way up the street from my car because there were people parked across my driveway.

“It is a real problem, you are told to call the police but by the time they arrive, the drivers have gone.”

A spokesman for the Education Village said they had received no reports of the problem, but confirmed it would inform parents of residents' concerns in a newsletter.