Parents and residents have come together to discuss parking issues at an Esher primary school set to expand next year.

A large number of cars park on grass verges near to Cranmere Primary School, The Drive, and nearby residents are concerned the problem will only worsen when pupil numbers increase in 2014.

Campaign group Cranmere Community Traffic Concern (CCTC) said the major concerns include lack of parking, safety of children and traffic congestion in Douglas Road and Blair Avenue.

John Farrer from Surrey County Council said the plans for the new school, which have been submitted to the county council, include “little or no provision” for parking.

Thirty-seven parking spaces are planned on the site, which will be for staff use only.

Mr Farrer said it was national policy not to provide parking for parents at schools, but indicated it might be possible to make some parking bays on Douglas Road and provide a safe crossing point for parents and children.

But people at the meeting said they were not entirely happy with this proposal.

Mr Farrer added: “There is a limit to what we can do with the budget we have been given.

“We are trying to find a solution which will mitigate the problem a bit further.”

The school will move from The Drive to greenbelt land to the south of its existing site, while Mr Farrer said the council’s job is to keep the impact on the greenbelt as minimal as possible.

The move will mean the new entrance to the school will be in Arran Way, an entrance that the school is not currently accessible from.

The current school has one form of entry and will increase to three forms in September 2014.

Pupils numbers will increase to 630, split across 21 classes, and a nursery for 26 pupils will also be provided.

Police Constable Scott Nield from Surrey police, who was asked to organise the meeting, said officers were only made aware a few weeks ago that the school was set to expand.

PC Nield stressed the police cannot do anything to affect the way planning issues are dealt with.

Alan Coe from CCTG said Elmbridge Council will hold their own consultation to make recommendations to Surrey.