PARENTS angered by illegally-parked taxi drivers and fellow parents flaunting the rules of the road at peak school times say it is just a matter of time before a child's life is taken.

Holloway Avenue, the site of Elm Academy, turns to chaos on a daily basis as drivers stop at zig-zags outside the school gates, on double yellow lines and bus stops when dropping-off and collecting primary school children.

Tracey Freeborough, a 29-year-old mum-of-two, told the Daily Echo she regularly gets abused by other parents when she reminds them about the dangers of parking on zig-zags.

She said: "It is just disgusting behaviour and it is so dangerous.

"They are waiting for a child to die and whose conscience is that going to be on?

"No one is doing anything about it. What are we supposed to do? If it was one of their children knocked down then they would be the ones pushing this."

Another parent, who asked not to be named, said: "They just think they're above the law. It's not about educating them - we're passed that. We have been taking photos trying to shame people into following the rules. You say something to a parent and you just get a gobful."

A Facebook group called Illegal Parking/Driving Bournemouth has been started to identify regular offenders.

Lollipop lady Diane Scott, who has been manning the crossing for 25 years, said she has seen up to 11 cars in the space of five minutes parked illegally.

"It is absolutely terrible," she said. "Since they stopped taxis going to the school they think they can park here, there and everywhere.

"One mother was parked in the bus stop and she got tooted to move. She moved off slowly and her child jumped out - while she was still going. I have nearly been run over by a taxi driver. I get abuse from them, they swear at me and the language is just terrible. I had to pull one child from the middle of the road who was crossing and nearly got run down by a taxi driver. It is really bad. Parents even ask me why I don't move badly parked parents along but I can't put the kids in danger by moving."

Principal Jo Fish said: "As at all schools dropping-off and picking-up time is a very busy point of the school day. We are always mindful for the safety and welfare of our pupils and local community. There are clear road makings which the vast majority of the road users adhere to support the safety of our young people. We have been in contact with the local neighbourhood policing team who have supported us in reminding road users of their obligation. Following the information received from parents we have been in contact with local taxi companies to remind them of the importance of adhering to road expectations around schools. We continually remind parents of the importance of safe road use around the school."

Director of United Taxis, Derek Heritage, said: "United are instructing their drivers on proper procedures when dealing with bookings from all pick-up points, and will investigate any transgressions and deal with drivers accordingly."