Elderly residents on a cul-de-sac in Old Bexley have said they feel like “non-entities” and claim they have been ignored by Bexley Council over parking issues in their road.

Paul Rowland, 75, told News Shopper that irresponsible parking on Warwick Close during school drop off and pick up times is causing “serious health and safety issues”

Residents claim the “inconsiderate” parking has blocked ambulances and fire engines from getting into the road in the past, forcing paramedics to run up the close to reach emergencies.

He and his wife have lived on the close, which is adjacent to Old Bexley C of E Primary School, for 28 years, but says he is sick of the Council “doing absolutely nothing for us.”

Mr Rowland claims that parents park on double yellow lines, across people’s driveways, and sometimes even on people’s driveways when they take their children to school.

He also says he and his wife have been “verbally abused” by parents when confronting them about their parking.

Dennis Crawford, 80, who also lives on the Close, said: “Sometimes you can’t even get into your own house. We’ve been trying to get this stopped for ages.

“It’s getting worse and worse. We’re hitting our heads against a brick wall.”

The two disgruntled residents criticised Bexley Council cabinet member for traffic and transport, Cllr Alex Sawyer, for “doing nothing for us whatsoever.”

Speaking to News Shopper, Cllr Sawyer dismissed these claims and insisted he “has the utmost sympathy” for the residents of Warwick Close.

Since first being elected to the council in 2014, Cllr Sawyer says he has offered the residents of Warwick Close four separate proposals to tackle the problem of inconsiderate parking – three of which were rejected by residents.

Mr Rowland said he and his neighbours had rejected the proposals because they were "not what we want at all" and did not listen to the concerns presented to the Council.

He said: “I share the frustrations of residents on Warwick Close but we have to consider all road users.”

He suggested the cause of the problem was due to wider catchment areas for primary schools forcing parents to drive.

“If your child has to travel three or five miles to their primary school, you would never want to put them on public transport,” he added.

Despite this, he praised the school for the steps they put in place to tackle the issue, including introducing staggered pick up times and sending out emails to parents.

Cllr Sawyer told News Shopper he presented a “fourth and final proposal” to residents of Warwick Close on March 26.

“I’m greatly encouraged by the response to this proposal. It’s the closest we have been to solving the problem so far.”