NEW attempts are being made to prevent students causing congestion and danger by using streets near Totton College as an overspill car park.

Highway chiefs have sprung into action amid growing concern over the problems caused by teenagers parking in Calmore Road and Barnsfield Crescent when the college car park is full.

Council officials are exploring various options - and the college itself is addressing the issue by attempting to provide extra parking spaces on the campus.

Totton and Eling Town Council has received a spate of complaints about hazards caused by cars clogging roads near the award-winning college.

Residents say vehicles parked either side of each gateway make it impossible for people pulling out of their drives to see oncoming traffic.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the council's planning and transport advisory committee.

Planning officer Roger Hill said: "The college is doing everything it can to keep their students in line and prevent them from obstructing driveways.

"They have also applied for a grant towards the cost of turning scrubland between the college and Tottonians rugby club into an additional car parking area."

Mr Hill said highway chiefs were also looking at possible solutions to the problems being experienced by residents.

He said: "Options include a restriction on parking times and the use of yellow lines, but they would have disadvantages for the people who live there.

"Measures such as these would hit everyone, not just the students.

"We are currently looking at a more comprehensive white-lining scheme which will make it easier for residents to get in and out of their properties."

Councillor David Hibbert praised the college principal, Mark Bramwell, but said he should be doing more to tackle the problems being caused by students.