Scots mum can't 'drive kids to school' as selfish drivers use street for free parking

A Scots mum has claimed she was unable to drive her kids to school after she was 'blocked in' by an 'inconsiderate motorist'.

Monika Czudowska, 38, claims residents on Craigour Avenue, Edinburgh have been dealing with the situation for over a year with people using the restriction-free street to park their cars in the morning.

On Tuesday morning, June 25, Monika prepared to embark on the school run, however, as she reached her car noticed a green Mini parked so close to her car it was touching her front bumper.

The 'abandoned' car also had one wheel on the pavement and due to another vehicle parked behind Monika's car, she could not get out of the space safely.

The placement advisor at Queen Margaret University decided to call Police Scotland but was told to contact her neighbour who had parked behind her and ask them to reverse back further.

Monika was then free to slowly edge away from the green Mini and assess if her vehicle had been damaged.

Tired of the situation, Monika, who has lived on the street for more than a decade, insists something should be done to deter people parking on the street who are not residents.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live she said: "It has been going on for over a year now and it has left locals with no parking spaces at all.

"The person who drives the green Mini always parks on the street and sometimes in the morning I see her waiting for me to leave so she can park in my space straight away.

"This morning was ridiculous. Her car was actually touching mine so I was worried it had caused damage as the back wheel was on the pavement and I didn't want to move mine until I contacted police.

"They advised me to contact my neighbour who was parked behind me so they could move back and then I reversed slowly in case my car had been damaged. Luckily it was fine but it is ridiculous how someone could leave their car like that.

"Thank goodness the weather was nice so the walk to school was fine but if it was raining or an emergency situation I wouldn't have been able to get out at all."

Monika claims drivers park on the street in the morning and do not return until late afternoon, with residents also voicing their frustration at not being able to park in front of their homes.

"They just take every available space on the street and sometimes it can be difficult for buses to get past. I can go away to the shops in the morning and come back a short time later and the spaces are gone."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.