PARENTS of children at an Eastleigh school have accused the borough council of going back on its word in a row over parking in a busy town centre road.

The row flared after the council's new team of parking attendants put advisory notices on vehicles outside The Crescent Primary School in Toynbee Road warning parents who continued to park illegally after October 1 that they would be hit with tickets and a £60 fine.

It was part of a so-called "softly-softly" approach in the run-up to the council taking over responsibility for street parking from the police.

But it caused uproar among a section of parents who claimed they had no alternative but to use residents' parking bays in the road. The school is unable to offer a pull-in facility and there were only four public bays in the street.

Chris Mallows, 44, of Cedar Road, Eastleigh, launched a campaign to make the council think again and parents were claiming a mini-victory after being told there would be a period of grace while alternatives were explored.

But earlier this week three attendants made a high-profile appearance outside The Crescent at the end of the school day.

Mr Mallows said: "It was just pure intimidation. Luckily, nobody got tickets but they said from now on they were going to enforce parking restrictions morning and afternoon.

"But we were told we would have three weeks to get everything in place for alternative parking and they have gone back on their word. As it is, the alternative car parking at the Good Companions can't happen. The car park is available in the morning but not in the afternoon."

But an Eastleigh Council spokesman said: "Following recent publicity about parking issues in Toynbee Road, the borough council has received a number of complaints from local residents about parents parking in residents' parking bays.

"The council did not agree to an amnesty but said it would take a careful and considerate approach. The council will enforce waiting restrictions consistently across the town centre and the borough in accordance with the law."

But he added: "The council is arranging a meeting with the school to discuss ways of getting the children safely into school."

Head teacher Jane Laurie said: "I am trying to liaise and work with Eastleigh Council to resolve parking issues."