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Angry residents living near a Cardiff high school say they are being blocked in and their rubbish hasn't been collected for weeks because collection vehicles can't get through thanks to inconsiderate parking. People living near Cantonian High say huge building works there to bring in two more schools to create the £110m Fairwater Campus has caused massive parking problems. They said it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt with children and others unable to see crossing the road and emergency and rubbish collection vehicles unable to access some streets. "People are parking on the pavement, in front of driveways and on kerbs," said Rachel Rankmore, who lives in Cadwygan Place and whose son Bailey has severe epilepsy and often requires an ambulance or emergency help. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here She said: "The rubbish wagons can't get through and we've not had our rubbish collected for two weeks. I have pulled the bins into another road for them to take. "At school time some parents just stop in the middle of the road to drop off or pick up. There are going to be serious consequences. It's an accident waiting to happen." The mum-of-two said illegal parking right on the pavements is blocking access for wheelchair users and people with babies in pushchairs. She said neither pedestrians nor drivers can see oncoming traffic when crossing roads or pulling out, causing serious risk of accidents. "There is double parking on Doyle Avenue and they have parked right in front of our driveways on Cadwgan Place," Ms Rankmore said. "Cadwgan is a cul-de-sac and sometimes we have been blocked in and unable to get out." Ms Rankmore's son Bailey has severe epilepsy and frequently needs emergency call outs and hospital treatment. She added: "We have had ambulances out for Bailey and just luckily it was at night time and not in the day. We also have a van to take Bailey out and that has been blocked in at times." A neighbour who lives on the same cul-de-sac said she is worried for the safety of her young children as well as others. "It's all the contractors at the school blocking the entrance," she claimed. "During school days from 7am onwards it is very dangerous with children walking to school and pavements and junctions blocked. We have literally been unable to drive out of the cul-de-sac some days. We have complained but nothing is done." Both said they have contacted Cardiff Council, police and the school without any action. But the local authority said parking enforcement officers patrol regularly and this year 67 penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued for parking contraventions on Fairwater Road and 45 on Doyle Avenue alone. The council is also looking at the possibility of installing bollards on the road to improve access for refuse vehicles collecting waste from residents’ homes on side streets in the area. A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “The council is aware of the parking issues around the construction site of the Fairwater Community Campus and is taking steps to address them. Council staff are working with the school to coordinate parking arrangements for staff and alternative parking has been arranged at the social club, the ski centre, and Cardiff City Stadium for contractors working on-site." Once completed the Fairwater Community Campus will provide brand new facilities for three schools: Cantonian, Riverbank, and Woodlands. Over the course of construction the project will have employed 2,400 people with 75% of the workforce coming from Wales, and total spending on Welsh-based subcontractors exceeding £90 million, a huge task which inevitably caused some disruption, the spokesperson said. They added: “As with any development of this scale, some disruption is inevitable until the build is complete. We ask all motorists to park responsibly and in accordance with the regulations displayed on signage adjacent to the highway. "Parking enforcement officers patrol the area regularly and this year 67 PCNs have been issued for parking contraventions on Fairwater Road and 45 PCNs on Doyle Avenue. Council officers are also exploring the possibility of installing bollards on the highway to improve access for refuse vehicles collecting waste from residents’ homes on side streets. “Obstruction offences and dangerous pavement parking fall under police jurisdiction. Council officers are liaising with the neighbourhood policing team to address these issues. Our message to everyone parking in this area is please park responsibly and do not cause an obstruction that may endanger other road users."
