RESIDENTS of a Gwent sheltered housing complex are forming human barriers to stop parents using their private car park.

People living in Westgate Court, Caerleon, decided to take action after polite requests got them nowhere.

They claim that sometimes when they asked they were even abused by drivers.

The problem is caused mainly by parents who, when picking up their children from nearby Caerleon Comprehensive School, park in Westgate Court despite residents-only parking signs.

As well as causing an obstruction, some of the senior citizens who live in the 85 dwellings say the unwelcome vehicles could hold up emergency services.

Resident Vera Williams, 64, said: "This has been going on for many years with parents turning up in the afternoon to pick up their children. Residents trying to turn in off Lodge Road can't get into their own car park. "If you speak to some of the drivers and say they shouldn't be parked here sometimes all you get is a lot of foul abuse."

She added they were also worried ambulances could be prevented reaching the complex in a medical emergency.

Mrs Williams said they had approached the council and the police in a bid to get something done but nothing had yet happened.

She said they had also contacted the school, who had sent letters to parents. "We have decided to take action ourselves by forming a line across the entrance each afternoon."

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said that an operation was being run - in conjunction with the school by the neighbourhood policing team - to look at car parking in the Cold Bath Road and Westgate Court area, and that the results were being evaluated.

"In addition there has been close liaison with the school, who have been engaging with parents and pupils over the car-parking issue, and we have also been liaising with local representatives, who are fully aware of the issue and are supportive of the actions taken to date."

She added that once the results of the evaluation were complete they would consider what action was necessary. It could include advice to motorists or fixed penalty notices.