Roads choked by around 180 vehicles belonging to builders working on a school redevelopment have been cleared thanks to the Comet.

Contractors working on the new Marriotts School site off Telford Avenue in Stevenage were parking on residential roads after being told by the borough council to stop using the nearby Fairlands Valley boating lake car park.

The council wanted to free up parking for families during the school holidays, but the decision created a headache for residents in The Paddocks, Wigram Way and Elm Walk on the southern side of the park.

Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, Alan Bennett of Wigram Way said there were at least 30 work vehicles parked daily and more elsewhere.

“It gives the residents no space. There are vans and builders’ vehicles. It’s going to be two months of harassment for residents.

“It’s like a building site. People walk up the street with their helmets and overalls. They even park on the pavement so people with prams or wheelchairs cannot get by.”

The council offered school developer Balfour Beatty space in the valley car park by the football club, but only a few contractors were using it, the developer admitted.

In response to questions by the Comet, Balfour Beatty opened an area on the school site this week, initially for branded company vehicles, and from this morning (Wednesday) for 180 vehicles.

A company spokesman said this should cover the amount of vehicles used in relation to the site. She added Stevenage Borough Council will allow workers to return to Fairlands Valley Park from August 20.

The new school buildings were due to open at the beginning of the academic year, but construction delays due to complications and the poor weather have put back the opening to January 2013.