Parents and residents have slammed a decision to "cone off" parking space for a bus service outside the school gates, describing the aftermath as a "complete shambles".

Knockhall Primary school, in Eynsford Road, Greenhithe, is trialling a new system to ensure students using the Go-Coach bus can disembark directly outside.

The school, which forms part of the Woodland Academy Trust, says the decision is designed with children's safety in mind and is "reviewing and amending" the measure as necessary.

But some parents and residents have hit out at the move, which was rolled out after the Easter break, labelling it a "complete shambles" and "total chaos".

It comes after the mini-bus service reportedly pulled up on Tuesday and caused a major blockage with cars behind spilling onto the pavements and neighbours' driveways.

Greenhithe resident Carissa Davis said: "The school bus has been parking on the yellow zig-zags for years, with that being illegal.

"Now they have decided to make it safer by blocking a parking spot for the bus with cones.

"The bus drivers have no idea they need to get out to move the cones to pull in. Now they are blocking the entire road to let kids on and off. It's a complete shambles."

But the Trust says the congestion occurred after the cones were moved by other motorists to park in the space which prevented the bus from using it as planned.

Knockhall primary is a mixed academy with more than 400 pupils and a potential roster of 532 places.

Neighbours say the latest incident follows a catalogue of complaints to the school relating to dangerous and illegal parking outside the gates.

One woman, who has lived in Eynsford Road for many years, says the street is now busier than ever.

She said: "I won't go out certain times of the day because I know when I come back I can't park."

During school drop-off and pick-up times, the woman – who asked not to be named – says she is often confronted by parents who subject her to foul-mouth rants when reminded they are blocking her driveway.

After one incident reported to the school, she says her partner's car tyres were slashed and the couple have now installed CCTV outside to monitor issues.

She says the latest move to cone off already scarce parking space has angered residents further.

The woman said she was informed the cones would only be in place during school drop-off times but on the first day of operation she claims they were left out all hours of the day.

Another Eynsford Road resident also hit out at the parking situation and said residents were treated "like prisoners" during drop-off windows.

She said: "Then I come home from work at 3pm and I get stuck behind it. You get the finger sign and all sorts."

She also relies on her car to take her elderly mum back and forth from medical appointments.

The blue badge holder is currently in the process of applying for a disabled bay as she finds it difficult to secure a regular parking slot when assisting her mum.

She added: "A lot of comments on Facebook say 'oh well you bought the house after the school was built' but the school was not as big then."

A spokesman for the Woodland Academy Trust said: "The safety of the children using the Go-Coach bus service is of the highest priority for the school.

"The service is an arrangement between Kent County Council and parents of the children using the bus service.

"The school is trialling a new system coning an area in front of the school. Unfortunately, the cones were moved yesterday causing congestion.

"The local community is important to the school and the school is constantly reviewing and amending as necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and local community."