EWLOE residents have been left ‘frustrated’ after being given fines for parking outside of their own homes.

Residents at Carlines Avenue in Ewloe are calling for enforcement cameras to combat ‘illegal parking’ on their street near to Penarlag school.

73-year-old Frank Moran told the Leader that single yellow lines were placed near the school in a bid to prevent parents from parking during the school run, which would also reduce danger and emissions.

However, the same yellow lines also mean that of a morning and afternoon, residents cannot park outside of their homes.

Mr Moran said this is not being enforced properly as parents are still parking for the school run and residents are being fined if they do not move their cars.

He said: “It’s dangerous the way they park, there’s a carpark half a minute away.

“Over a year ago one of the councillors, who was also a governor, decided to have single yellow lines to cut emissions and put double yellow lines further away from the school where dangerous driving could arise.

“We as residents didn’t want any lines to begin with but for years we had people parking across our drives.

“One day the enforcement officers just stopped coming and then a couple of weeks ago when schools started going back, out they came. We didn’t mind because it was supposed to cut emissions for the health of the children.

“One day though, 80 cars came to the school, and left their engines running, because if their engines are running, they do not get ticketed.

“We’ve formed a committee as residents, but we just get told there aren’t enough enforcement officers. There’s no stability to this. Us residents are getting fined if we forget to bring our cars off the front.”

Mr Moran said the residents committee is calling for an enforcement camera in the are to prevent the issue.

He added that there is a similar problem near a primary school in Cardiff, but since an enforcement camera has been placed, parents are no longer parking there and residents are allowed to leave their cars outside of their homes.

He added: “These lines were meant to stop emissions but parents are leaving their engines running to avoid a fine.

“An enforcement camera would allow residents to be exempt and stop the emissions problem. What’s the use of the yellow lines if it will not get enforced properly?

“Most residents around here are elderly, they are retired and some have two or three cars. We thought these lines would stop people blocking our drives and stop the emissions but it’s not.

“Us residents don’t get a warning either, if we are parked outside our house, despite the car not having been started, we will get a ticket straight away, but parents just get a warning.

“We are getting sidelined and we live here. Every day you have to watch what time you are leaving your car and making sure it’s out the way for the school. We shouldn’t have to do that.”

Mr Moran said for months, this has left residents feeling frustrated at the lack of action.

He told the Leader: “I don’t think it’s fair. I got a fine last week and I’m not the only one. It needs looking at again.

“We have to go out of a night to move our car to avoid a ticket in the morning but then we watch parents leaving their cars running and nothing happens.

“It has to be looked at from a sensible point of view. It’s still a health risk for the children but lately it’s like the Chelsea Tractors.

“We’ve had people trying to sell their houses but because of this it hasn’t helped. Some have pulled out of the market because of the lines.

“On Thursday alone I counted 60 cars that came here and parked on the lines.

“We need a camera, these lines are not solving the emissions problem and causing more harm than good.”

Flintshire council has been approached for comment.