MORE than 100 people have thrown their weight behind a petition in a bid to end a parking war between parents and residents living next to a Southampton school.

As reported in the Daily Echo on Tuesday, residents living near Fairisle Junior School in Lordshill are threatening to blockade the school run in a bid to put an end to horrendous parking problems.

However Don Thomas and Keith Morrell have their own solution which they say is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to sort the problem out – and think people power could help.

The pair are calling on Southampton City Council to include a dedicated car park in their plans for Oaklands School – and are urging residents to back the idea.

The car park is currently being used by Southampton General Hospital, but will become vacant on October 31.

Coxford Ward councillor Don Thomas said the petition has already received more than 100 signatures from residents in Fairisle Road, Malin Close and Orkney Close but they were collecting more.

Cllr Thomas, said: “We are hopeful that everyone in those three roads will sign it and are hoping to get hundreds of signatures.

“We have been out twice and we have had a positive response, none of the residents has refused to sign yet.

“We have found ourselves a solution which is not going to cost anything.

“What is good enough for the NHS is good enough for our local residents and our local parents who are just as keen to have a proper dropoff point.

“Keith and I believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the problem to be sorted out.

“We really need residents and people to sign this because people power can make a real difference.”

A public meeting to look at the outline planning proposal for Oaklands School is set to take place in November.