Staff at Blairgowrie High have found themselves embroiled in a parking row with angry residents.
For years teachers and other employees have been leaving their cars in adjacent streets due to competition for places in the school’s car park.
That practice has brought them into conflict with householders, particularly those in the town’s Beeches Road, who believe they are being deprived of the use of spaces outside their homes.
The conflict has come to a head recently, with a small group of residents contacting both Blairgowrie High and Perth and Kinross Council to ask them to take action.
Resident James Reeves said he believed he and his neighbours were entitled to two spaces apiece but the lack of signs and any apparent restrictions has made that belief difficult to verify.
The council said efforts were being made to mediate a ceasefire between residents and the school but Mr Reeves said he was at his wit’s end over the issue.
“Some days, frankly, it feels as if they are taking over the whole street,” he told The Courier. “The cars are there from 8.30am until 4pm on most days and even longer if there are evening events such as a parents’ evening.
“I’ve been living here for almost seven years and the problem has been there that whole time.
“Despite raising the issue with the school, things have not gotten any better and, in fact, the school seems to deny there is any issue. I have more letters than I can count, all saying that as there are no signs, staff can park where they like. Something needs to change.”
Mr Reeves also questioned why staff at the school were not able to park on the Blairgowrie High premises.
Perth and Kinross Council said it has been made aware of the dispute. “The parking spaces in Beeches Road are for general public use and no restrictions apply which would limit access only to residents,” a spokeswoman said.
“Blairgowrie High School has a staff car park which is always well-used and busy. The school was contacted relatively recently by a small number of residents regarding parking in Beeches Road.
“As a result, and in the interests of trying to maintain good community relations, the head teacher has encouraged staff to park elsewhere.”