Frustrated parents at a primary school in Rutherglen say they have been forced to take matters into their own hands after years of parking problems outside the school gates.

Residents and parents say that dangerous and inconsiderate parking during drop-off and pick-up times has become a daily issue, with vehicles blocking driveways and gates, parking on pavements and creating hazards for children crossing the road.

Despite repeated complaints to both the local council and Police Scotland, a group of concerned parents say little has changed on the roads outside St Columbkille’s primary school. They argue that enforcement has been inconsistent and that requests for additional traffic measures have gone unanswered.

As a result, the group of parents has begun organising informal monitoring of the area, encouraging responsible parking and reminding motorists of the risks posed by poor parking practices.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We shouldn’t have to do this ourselves, but after witnessing my own child almost being hit by a car at the end of the school day, we feel we’ve been left with no choice.

“The safety of our children has to come first.”Campaigners are now calling on the council and police to work together on a long-term solution, including increased enforcement, improved signage and traffic-calming measures around the school.Until then, parents say they will continue their efforts to keep pupils safe and reduce congestion outside the school gates.”

In November last year, South Lanarkshire council agreed to explore options to extend car-free zones to six primary schools across South Lanarkshire, including St Columbkille’s, after a successful pilot.

The move followed a trial at Burnside Primary in Rutherglen and St Joseph’s Primary in Blantyre which was made permanent in May last year after positive feedback.

All six schools have engaged with the council’s traffic and transportation team, and head teachers have expressed interest in joining the scheme.