Parking wars outside a Norwich school may be a thing of the past thanks to a new partnership with a nearby church.

Homeowners in and around the area of St Clements Hill Primary Academy in Le Safferne Gardens, which opened in 2018, had previously complained of bumper-to-bumper congestion and their driveways being blocked by parents on the school run.

Folk living in Ash Grove, Sprowston Road, Wall Road and Clabon Road are among those who had been affected by the street parking.

Norwich Evening News: The entrance to St Clements Hill Primary Academy in NorwichThe entrance to St Clements Hill Primary Academy in Norwich (Image: Google Street View)

But now a new Park and Stride scheme, due to start in the new year, has been set up in a bid to keep cars away from the site at peak times.

Green councillor Alex Catt, who represents the Sewell ward where the academy is located, set up a meeting between the school and St Georges Roman Catholic Church in Sprowston Road so parents can use its parking facilities while they walk their children to the education setting.

He explained how a partnership was struck up between the two entities following the parking wars between other cars as well as nearby neighbours, which St Clements Hill Primary Academy's head Jess Gardner explained as "often problematic".

Norwich Evening News: Cllr Alex Catt outside St Clements Hill Primary Academy, NorwichCllr Alex Catt outside St Clements Hill Primary Academy, Norwich (Image: Alex Catt)

Cllr Catt said: "This is a positive step forward.

"The church was more than happy to help.

"It's really nice to see different parts of the community coming together to fix an issue."

The scheme is set to launch on Monday, January 9, with parents issued free permits so both the school and church can track how well it is used.

St Georges is just a seven-minute walk from St Clements Hill.

"This should hopefully relieve a lot of the congestion as well as the effects of air pollution.

"This is a success on many levels. There's a big problem with idling as well, which is bad for everyone pollution-wise but especially young children.

"People have been vocal about parking issues and congestion in the area, so this should be a really good resolution.

"It's a fresh start for the new year."