NEIGHBOURS plagued with parking problems are warning that it’s only a matter of time until a “catastrophe” strikes. 

People living in Autumn Close, off Caterhatch Lane in Enfield, say their narrow cul-de-sac has become so busy that they struggle to leave their homes as people frequently park in front of their driveways. 

Despite meeting with Enfield Council last year to discuss the issue, residents claim nothing has been done. 

Dr Kiran Coellho, who has recently completed a PHD in religion, is disappointed the council has not acted on the issue.

He said: “When things are not monitored, danger lurks.

“What makes it so dangerous is the mini buses are going on the pavements and kids are going to school. I’m just waiting for some kind of catastrophe.”

He claims the problems started about ten years ago after Russet House School was built, with mini buses taking children to school and trucks making deliveries during the day partly to blame.

There are also two other schools in the area; Carterhatch Infant School and Carterhatch Junior School.

Dr Coellho said delivery drivers frequently park on yellow lines, and people often park across his double driveway making access very difficult. 

Last week, the Enfield Independent spoke to resident Margaret Canham who said her car has been hit by school coaches "so many times".

Fellow resident Elina Buna says the problem has got so bad that whenever she needs to use her car, she is 99 per cent sure she will be late due to slow traffic and people blocking her driveway. 

The 48-year-old housewife said: “It’s just really hard because it’s impossible to get in the house. It’s really difficult. I’m getting used to it now but it’s so annoying.

“I can’t park on my own driveway. It’s really bad. I think everyone in the street will say terrible things.

“I am really concerned about safety. I go out and see kids running. People are sometimes careless; they let the kids run and it’s really dangerous.”

She regularly witnesses arguments in the street sparked by parking issues, and said the congestion means she has been late to pick up her children from school a number of times. 

They suggest the council should change the school times to allow more time between school pick ups, introduce a size limit for the trucks that enter the cul-de-sac, or stagger the times mini buses can be driven. 

An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “We have had repeated discussions with residents regarding Autumn Close in an effort to deal with the traffic issues in the road.

“Those efforts to address their concerns are ongoing and we have informed residents that we plan to trial an experimental traffic scheme in Autumn Road in March, which if successful will be implemented permanently.”