NEIGHBOURS in a small Oxford close formed a human barrier to stop school-run parents blocking them in their homes.

People in Cholsey Close, Cowley, claim inconsiderate parking by parents dropping off and picking up their children at nearby Church Cowley St James Primary School is making it impossible for them to get in and out of their street.

Six residents stood on pavements and in the middle of the road last Friday and again on Wednesday to prevent drivers mounting the kerb to park on double yellow lines.

They were joined by two police officers, five police community support officers (Pcsos) and two traffic wardens.

Father-of-two Dermot Nolan, 43, organised the protests.

He said: “It is just a small close with a small turning circle, but what happens is the cars fill up the turning circle and then park on either side of the road, completely blocking residents who are trying to get in and out.

“It’s chaos and it’s happening five days a week.”

Mr Nolan said people were parking illegally and dangerously on double yellow lines even when there were legitimate spaces available further away from the school.

He added: “These guys seem to think you have got to park as close as possible to the school, and even though I’m looking at an empty space right in front of me, there are three people parked on the double yellow lines because it’s a few yards closer.”

Mr Nolan said he had approached headteacher Tom Walker about the issue, who had gone out to look at the problem.

But he said when Mr Walker knocked on the windows of some parents, they were abusive to him.

Mr Walker was unavailable for comment.

Lesley Eldridge, who also lives in Cholsey Close, said: “If we ever had an emergency we would not be able to get emergency services down here.

“Although I don’t drive myself, it is still frustrating.”

Pc Anthony Kirby was among the officers who attended the protest on Wednesday and said while he sympathised with residents, it was not a problem that was unique to Church Cowley St James.

He said: “The residents of Cholsey Close have had enough of parents parking in their close on double yellow lines and not allowing access in and out of the close.

“It’s an ongoing battle. We are liaising with various partners including the school and the country council to encourage parents within walking distance to walk with their children to prevent these issues and any accident that might occur due to the road being blocked.”