A GROUP of residents have launched a petition to demand that Warrington Borough Council review its parking restrictions on Salisbury Street and Glazebrook Street after a child was knocked down on their way to school.

Gabriel Mclaughlin, who moved to Salisbury Street in 1997, said the incident should act as a wake-up call to the council to take immediate action after the youngster was hit by a car last week.

The 56-year-old landlord said: “We have been telling the council and the school that this was going to happen for years.

“Does it have to take some child to be killed for something to be done? Thankfully, this child wasn’t seriously injured but it could be much worse next time.”

Parking during the hours of 8.30am to 9.15am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Salisbury Street and Glazebrook Street is ‘mayhem’, claims Gabriel.

He added: “Since the school was built, we have felt like we are under siege because parents are dropping off their children and parking anywhere. Some parents have actually parked in my driveway before.”

Gabriel, who owns a number of properties on Salisbury Street, said he has watched parents blatantly disregard the parking restrictions.

Clr Kevin Bennett (Fairfield and Howley - LAB), who supports Gabriel’s campaign, said: “This has been a problem for a long time now. We need to solve this problem before anyone else gets hurt.”

A council spokesman said ‘steps had been taken’ to address the issue of parking and traffic near to St Elphin’s Primary School and a variety of options have been considered for reliving the congestion.

“These include reviewing the school’s travel plan to investigate possible changes that can be made to the school journey, increasing the parking for staff within the school site, and constructing a new 10 space drop off car park from College Close.”

It was also reported that a consultation took place last year to give the community the chance to have their say.

Responses to a recent consultation with the residents association are currently being gathered.

To check out Gabriel's campaign, click here.